Why is Obama giving Libya to the Russians?
20th July 2011
John Bolton wants to know.
An excellent question, to which numerous answers suggest themselves.
With President Obama’s Libya policy staggering from one embarrassment to another, last week he and Secretary of State Clinton outdid themselves. They publicly welcomed Russia’s effort to insert itself as a mediator, an act of such strategic myopia that it must leave even Moscow’s leadership speechless.
Permanent Security Council members Russia and China abstained on the initial resolution authorizing force to create a Libya no-fly zone and to protect innocent civilians. By not casting a veto, Russia thereby tacitly allowed military action to proceed. As they did, Russia repeatedly second-guessed and harshly criticized NATO’s operations. Now, as a mediator, Russia will, in effect, have the chance to rewrite the Council’s resolution according to its own lights.
July 20th, 2011 at 15:14
Maybe because Obama’s a spineless amateur?
July 20th, 2011 at 15:20
Also, because appeasement works! Just ask Neville Chamberlain …
July 21st, 2011 at 11:37
So, what’s the alternative? US boots on the ground in Libya?
Don’t we have enough “foreign adventures” going at the moment?
July 21st, 2011 at 13:50
We have FAR too many “foreign adventures” going on. The point is that you either go into a fight to win or you stay completely out. Anything else is a loss.
July 21st, 2011 at 16:50
Oh, but the Republicans would never have allowed Obama to send the troops in, while at the same time pillorying him for not showing enough “support” for the the freedom-loving Libyans trying to throw off the shackles of oppression. (So I guess “support” in this case would be…what? Noble speeches? How effective.)
Just like Republicans: Shoot off your mouth but never open your wallet or get your hands dirty.
July 21st, 2011 at 23:58
And the VERY easy solution would be for Obama to stay out of Libya entirely. The Republicans don’t want him in Libya for some very basic reasons:
1. Our military is already overextended
2. We’re broke
3. No matter who “wins” in Libya, it won’t help us. Both sides hate us.
4. The Obama Administration has less ability to conduct foreign relations than Jimmy Carter, Neville Chamberlain, or Daffy Duck.
Notice how the Chinese – with a huge army and a bad attitude – stay out of conflicts that have no strategic value to them. Also notice how they’re not broke.
July 22nd, 2011 at 09:35
All valid points, with which I agree. (Shock!! Did I just say I agree with RealRick?!)
But then, the Republicans should stop excoriating Obama for “not doing enough” in these situations when “not doint enough” is actually what they want.
Bunch of two-faced asshats. I’m sure Rove is somewhere behind the curtain…