Anybody can second guess the allies’ actions with the no fly zone. We did it under the guise of “national interests”---whatever that means. There weren’t any massacres of their people. There wasn’t any imminent danger to our safety. But as the president says, it was in our interests; oil perhaps? They do export some 5 million barrels a day. You decide. Maybe kill a couple of birds with one stone?
If this isn’t some 10 year war and it’s over in a short period, with little consequences, then all there is to argue about or discuss are principles. Unfortunately, I don’t think we, the public, even have all the information needed to make an educated assessment of the situation; particularly with the Samurai speed of our actions. We are already sliding down the slippery slope of when to exert force and when not to. So in the pursuit of principles, I suppose, we have to just let it go. You can argue ‘till the cows come home, but I doubt there’ll be any definitive resolution. At least, the military intervention doesn’t appear to be for religious reasons. It’s times like these to know what motivates our elected officials.
On the plus side, Gaddafi was a douche-bag, and I don’t think many will miss him. As a practical matter, I do believe we had the tacit support of some of the other Arab countries. That was smart. The big question is, what/who will be his replacement? Will the new government be pro western/reformed Islam or fundamentalist? Be careful what we wish for. WE don’t have the right to determine their political representatives or cultural persuasions. But will it be able to provide the basic human rights that weren’t afforded them under the previous dictatorial regime? Will they use their natural resources for the ultimate benefit of their people or for further nefarious purposes?
We may have opened the can of worms as we did with the election of Hamas in Palestine or the invasion of Iraq. There are always unintended consequences whenever we meddle in other’s affairs. These are uncertain times, and it’s not always about us. Either people are entitled to live as they democratically see fit, or we’re hypocrites. I believe, if you keep your nose clean, there’s little to fear. I don’t believe, included in the list of human universals, people are arbitrarily vengeful. If we did the right thing ultimately or coincidentally for the right reasons then I would be surprised if we got bit in the butt. But we shouldn’t stay at the party too long. We have domestic business to attend to.
No Flies!
great post!
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