Linkums for July

• What’s a Tripoli? Republicans reveal extent of America’s lack of comprehension of Lybian society.

“With an extra dose of irony, according to the Benghazi report, the remaining Americans were rescued not by any of the “freedom fighters” Washington had supported, but by a remnant of Qaddafi loyalists.”

• Chris Stevens sister (and family spokesperson) does not blame Clinton for his death.

“I do not blame Hillary Clinton or Leon Panetta…The Benghazi Mission was understaffed. We know that now. But, again, Chris knew that. It wasn’t a secret to him. He decided to take the risk to go there. It is not something they did to him. It is something he took on himself.”

• The Joint Strike Fighter program edges towards something functional.

“I believe it will be the front end of that window of August to December,” Carlisle said.

• Ros Gittins explains why ratings agencies opinions are as worthless as the businesses they run.

“The agencies want us to believe their deliberations are highly scientific and sophisticated, applied consistently across the world. But it’s open to doubt how true that is.”