Libya: The showdown continues today, as fresh reports of airstrikes have emerged from the eastern city of Brega yet again. Use of the now-familiar tactic comes one day after Secretary of Defense Gates signaled that a no-fly zone over Libya could pull the US military into its third armed conflict in the region, requiring extensive preliminary American airstrikes to implement.
Meanwhile, Khaddafy has entered talks with Venezuela’s Chaves, who is advocating an international peacekeeping mission to resolve Libyan unrest. (New York Times: Rebels in Libya Win Battle but Fail to Loosen Qaddafi’s Grip)
Yemen: Protesters have demonstrated en masse consistently in recent weeks. President Ali Abdullah Saleh has reportedly agreed to leave office at the end of 2011. It’s unclear what impact his decision will have on the motivations of those that have called for his ouster consistently, as the move conjures up not-so-distant memories of another beleaguered Arab leader who had proposed concessions eerily similar in nature. (L.A Times:Yemen Leader Reportedly Reaches Tentative Pact With Opposition)
SCOTUS: Supreme Court delivered a major victory for the controversial Westboro Baptist Church yesterday, ruling overwhelmingly that the groups hate speech is protected under the First Amendment. (USA Today: Justices Side With Funeral Picketers)
Wikileaks: The case of Pfc. Manning took a turn for the serious Tuesday. The Army filed 22 new charges against Manning, the most serious being “aiding the enemy.” The charge that carries the possibility of the death penalty, although prosecutors have said they will likely seek life in prison. (msnbc.com: Manning Faces New Charges, Possible Death Penalty)
On the Daily Rundown: Defense Department Spokesman Geoff Morrell joins to discuss foreign policy and our military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq; Pete Williams will explain the Supreme Court's controversial decision on anti-gay activists who picket military funerals; and Bill McInturff and Fred Yang will break down the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.