“Imposing a no-fly zone, requiring extensive bombing of Libyan military facilities, would be an act of war, as Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said. The United States should not, in my view, launch military intervention into yet another Muslim country, without thinking long and hard about the consequences and implications. Given Libya’s strategic importance, owing to its oil and its location, a misstep would be very costly.
“Are we prepared, either alone or as part of an alliance, to see such military intervention through to the end? If the no-fly zone doesn’t stop the street-to-street fighting, are we prepared to escalate further, to put boots on the ground? Would that involve taking control of the country? Would we be obligated to stay until democracy is established?”
“Are we prepared, either alone or as part of an alliance, to see such military intervention through to the end? If the no-fly zone doesn’t stop the street-to-street fighting, are we prepared to escalate further, to put boots on the ground? Would that involve taking control of the country? Would we be obligated to stay until democracy is established?”
–Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), in a March 8 statement
All good questions, Senator Lugar. Unfortunately, the White House did not lend an ear and heed your wise analysis of the US’ options on Libya.
Instead, it appears inclined more towards actions that will lead to a long and expensive US presence in Libya that some of the President’s advisors likely favor.
Here are some additional questions that Senator Lugar can ask President Obama:
- Mr. President, which is worse – to be accused by foreign critics that the United States is defying “world opinion” (whatever that means) by staying out of Libya, or to be accused by the American people of embroiling the country in a reckless, costly and poorly-thought-out foreign policy adventure?
- On the recommend of which of your advisors have you decided to participate in the effort to impose a no-fly zone over Libya?
- Would these advisors be available to testify before the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, so that the American people can better understand what precise national interests are at stake, before the US becomes involved in what looks like a third war in a Muslim country?
- And if you will not agree to allow these advisors to appear before the Committee, can you explain why?
- If the US goal in Libya is see the country under a new government, would it not make sense (as Senator Lugar has said before) for the US to assist the anti-Gadhafi rebels in low-profile ways that do not make them look like “shills of America?” Is a high-profile, UN-authorized operation in Libya necessarily the best way to achieve the goal of a free Libya?
- Finally – Mr. President, will you acknowledge that a formal declaration of war by the Congress of the United States is required before US forces can be committed to large-scale UN operations in Libya?
