WASHINGTON, April 15 (UPI) -- A new study of the NATO air campaign in Libya suggests a similar intervention in Syria would require a major role for the United States.
The confidential assessment being circulated within the alliance concluded the forces that provided air cover for Libyan rebels relied heavily on U.S. refueling and reconnaissance capabilities.
"If anything were to be envisaged over Syria, even in purely hypothetical terms, it would also rely heavily on U.S. capabilities," a senior European diplomat who reviewed the report told The New York Times.
The newspaper said a similar NATO foray into Syria would pit the alliance against a larger army and more-sophisticated air-defense network than was seen in Libya. Air operations could also be hampered by a lack of air-controllers on the ground and in Europe who would select the targets to be hit inside Syria.
NATO has been taking steps to improve its capabilities to conduct future air-support missions. The Times said there is a proposal to establish a base for long-range surveillance and attack drones in Sicily that has the backing of the United States.
