So far it looks like the United States has taken the lead in the action. I think that was probably to be expected, especially with the removal of radar and other sites by missiles. But care needs to be taken that this doesn't turn into a third American war on a muslim nation. The action was approved by the United Nations and must remain a U.N. action.
The president and Secretary of Defense Gates have both said that within a few days the United States will hand over primary control of the operation to other U.N. forces -- probably Great Britain and France. They have also ruled out sending ground forces into Libya. I hope they are telling the truth on both counts. I think the U.N. needed to act in Libya, but the U.S. doesn't need another major war on its hands.
Having said the above, I must also say that the recent remark by Joint Chiefs of Staff head Admiral Mullen is rather stupid. He said that the purpose of the mission was not to remove Kadaffi from power. What else could be the objective? Surely we don't want to maintain the status quo -- a divided country in the midst of a civil war, with Kadaffi still in power and controlling Libyan oil. That would be a worse outcome than just staying out and letting Kadaffi solidify his position again.
The only legitimate reason for the U.N. action is to help remove Kadaffi from power. And once he is removed from power, he should be tried and convicted and spend the rest of his life in prison for ordering the bombing of the airliner in Lockerbie, Scotland. This should have happened many years ago.
Allowing Kadaffi to remain in power is not an option, especially now that the United Nations has attacked the country. he must be removed from power. Anything short of that would be a dismal and complete failure.
they are so full of crap
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