A Refreshing Take on US Military Engagement

The President addressed the nation about United States military actions in Libya this evening. As was expected, Republican Congressional representatives and the Right Wing Cable News Network were quick to criticize the President for NOT going it alone; for NOT using military force to engage in regime change, and for a, so called, lack of clarity regarding our country’s mission. Are Republican Congressional representatives and Right Wing Cable News commentators functionally illiterate or are they suffering from a severe attention deficit disorder?

First of all, the Obama administration was able to coordinate and accomplish what THEIR administration was unable to accomplish in the Middle East. Specifically, for the FIRST time in modern Middle East history, the United States led a humanitarian-based military action in an Arab country - WITHOUT the use of US ground forces and WITHOUT US military casualties - while engaging the FULL support of the Arab League. In addition to the Arab League, the humanitarian-based military mission includes a broad-based INTERNATIONAL coalition including the UN Security Council, France, and NATO allies such as England, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Greece and Turkey to SHARE the costs and military power. How refreshing!

Secondly, if Republican Congressional representatives and Right Wing Cable News commentators actually COMPREHENDED what the President had to say, they would have realized that the President was absolutely clear about the US mission in Libya. Let’s review what President Obama said:

The 9-day US mission to save thousands of Libyan civilians, who had no armor against Khadafy’s military might (bombs, tanks, high tech weaponry, an air force and the like), was stopped by US-led COALITION airstrikes. The use of US military action to engage in regime change is “out of the question”. Any actions for regime change will be in the hands of the Libyan people not in the hands of US military dictates. The remainder of United States involvement in Libya will be LIMITED to “intelligence”, “search and rescue”, “food”, “medical care” and returning Khadafy monies that were frozen by the United States BACK to the Libyan people so that they can “rebuild their country”. How refreshing!

K&R

:hi:

First, a mission with a specific humanitarian purpose, simply explained with limits well adhered to. So far, how Obama and Clinton explained it before the action is exactly how it was executed.

Second - it worked as it was designed to, and there were no apparent accidents, missteps, or anything to spoil the clear intent. The care and expertise of the US military in this was exceptional, and goes a long way to restoring the reputation of our armed forces in my mind (tarnished by the sloppy over-extended wars of the past many years).

Third - there's no arguing that he middle east is a labyrinth of enmities, loyalties, cross-purposes, and grudges older than any of us. Navigating the region is never going to be a picnic, and I think "as little involvement as necessary" is the best way to not being made a tool or proxy for conflicts that have nothing to do with us. Here, however, I think there is a valuable precedent set for what the world will tolerate...I hope the lives lost in Libya are like stones thrown in a big pond, and the ripples turn the minds of dictators away from violence and cruelty, and to service instead, for a long time to come.

There's far too much hate on this board over the whole issue - here's one for hope.