A Stratfor email from March 19, 2011 discusses a “closed door meeting” with a “few US, one UK and one French Air Force Colonels”.
This leaked internal communication reveals some of the thinking behind the 2011 operation in Libya. Sadly, but not surprisingly, none of the reasons mentioned by the American, French or British Colonels seemed to be about saving lives, toppling Ghadafi or helping the rebels. Instead, the morbid highlights included:
The UK attacked to help BP
“The UK guy says UK is driven by energy interests in this campaign. BP post-oil spill is suffering in US< other options are to expand in Siberia (problems with Russia), Vietnam and .. libya. They see a Ghadafi ouster as the best way to meet their energy interests.”
