President Obama’s nominee to head U.S. Africa Command said on Tuesday that, as far as he knows, the administration has no “overall grand strategy” for combating the Islamic State in Libya.
Last week, CIA Director John Brennan told the Senate Intelligence Committee that the Islamic State’s branch in Libya is “probably the most developed and the most dangerous.”
Yet Marine Lt. Gen. Thomas Waldhauser testified at his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday that he is unaware of any internal debate to alter U.S. policy in Libya. “I am not aware of any overall grand strategy at this point,” he said.
At the Pentagon, spokesman Peter Cook said the U.S. is prepared to conduct airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Libya, but indicated a wider campaign requires a more reliable government to partner with.
“We have been willing to take strikes in the past in Libya targeting ISIL leadership. We are prepared to do so again in the future, but this is a situation where the government is still taking shape. It is showing progress. Military forces aligned with the government are showing progress as well,” Cook said.
“The most important thing, we believe, in the Libyan situation is the formation of this government, the strengthening of this government, support for this government, so that it can handle these security matters on their own,” Cook said.
No U.S. combat missions are being flown in Libya, and Waldhauser told the committee that, if confirmed, he would have no authority to order airstrikes without presidential approval.
Sen. Lindsey Graham,R-S.C., asked Waldhauser if “it would be wise” for the AFRICOM commander to have that authority.
“It would certainly contribute to what we’re trying to do inside of Libya,” Waldhauser replied.
Waldhauser also agreed with Graham that not conducting airstrikes against the Islamic State in Libya doesn’t make sense militarily. “No, it does not,” he said in response to a question.
If confirmed, Waldhauser will succeed Army Gen. David Rodriguez, the current AFRICOM commander.
