President Obama on the Libyan Conflict

Abstract

In this paper we will talk about the President Obama and the Libyan Conflict. For President Obama, the NATO air war in Libya was driven by a humanitarian impulse: to prevent the slaughter of Libyan civilians. On March 28, in fact, Mr. Obama said the United States would not stand by and allow a massacre that would have "stained the conscience of the world. Now the war is ending with Muammar Qaddafi, who ordered attacks on civilians in the city of Benghazi, apparently on the run. Will that same humanitarian rationale now be needed in post-Qaddafi Libya? The risk of Libya falling into violent chaos or even another dictatorship remains high. But somehow during the five-month civil war, the original reason for the United Nations to approve NATO's no-fly zone over Libya and for Obama to win over reluctant American support was superseded by other goals. As the fighting went on, it became clear that "regime change" was the only way to fully protect civilians, with NATO jets providing close cover for advancing rebel troops who slowly became better armed and organized. As the rebels took over Tripoli and NATO's "mission creep" succeeded, Obama endorsed a Bush-like goal of democracy for Libya - which will help the limping Arab Spring. If the Libyan rebel forces, led by a coalition known at the National Transitional Council, can stay united and enforce order, a liberated Libya may not need foreign boots on the ground. But if the council fails because of tribal differences or leadership disputes Obama and the UN have ample precedent to take action.

President Obama on the Libyan Conflict

On December 17, 2010 a disenfranchised 26-year-old Tunisian street vendor set himself on fire to protest the repression and corruption of the Tunisian government. This act of desperation cost the young man his life, ignited the passion and frustration of millions, and set into action a course of events that will inevitably result in the overthrow of Libyan tyrant Muammar Gaddafi. Mohamed Bouazizi's self immolation inspired protests demanding greater freedom throughout the Middle East, which led many Libyans to organize and openly defy the iron fist of their despotic leader for the first time in 42 years. For protesting 42 years of oppression endured under the boot of Gaddafi's regime, the Libyan people were attacked with helicopter gunships and extrajudicial killings by Libyan military forces and African mercenaries. The crisis reached a flashpoint in February when military attempts to suppress protests turned violent and sparked open rebellion against the brutality of Gaddafi's regime. (Blanche, 2011)

The rebellion surged toward Libya's capital city of Tripoli, only to be repulsed by military air strikes and superior firepower. By mid March, the rebellion was on the brink of defeat and begged the U.N. to establish a “no fly zone” over Libya to prevent the slaughter of innocent civilians caught in the middle of what has become a civil war. In accordance with ...