Crisis in Libya

[Nuala]

I'm concerned about the situation unfolding in Libya. Muammar Gaddafi's crimes are numerous and deplorable. The Libyan people have all the right in the world to want a government for the people and by the people. There is no mistaking this. Were military intervention by Western powers to occur, nobody could say that in itself would be wrong. He's ordered assassinations on expatriate opposition leaders. From supporting international terrorism, from the Provisional IRA in Ireland all the way to Latin America. From supporting the genocidal Slobodan Milosevic. He's ordered attacks on his own people too. The question is not when to say enough, but how to proceed with supporting the Libyan rebels who are seemingly underpowered as compared to Gaddafi's military.

What do we do? Is this a war worth fighting? I'd have to say with a heavy heart that it is. It's inevitable in my opinion. The United States seems to be sticking to the sidelines on this one, but it's only a matter of time until US forces & UN-led forces physically intervene in Libya. People my age, no matter their nationality, are going to die for Libya. That brings immense pain to me, to think this is the world we all live in, where young men & women die for a greater cause. The question being posed to you all is this: Is this a war worth fighting for? Thousands more will unquestionably die, but at the end of it all, do UN forces & US forces have what it takes to see this through to the end?

On a side note: The Iraq & Afghanistan wars being fought right now are questionable to me. It's not being handled very effectively. My country's military is spread out, not that we can't put more troops in the Middle East, but should the US intervene in Libya too?

 

[EmperorHirohito]

When a country's leader starts to kill his own countrymen, then they need to be stopped by any means. And Yes, yet again we are involved in a conflict that is not of our own making, but unlike Iraq, this time we have the backing of UN Resolution 1973, so it does make it more of a legal war. As for the Rebels opposed to Gaddafi, I hope that they secretly get weapons from other sources, just like Iraq was given a little help in the 1980's in order to fight Iran.

 

[RolandtheHeadless]

What is our goal there? To launch cruise missiles and aircraft in order to "save" the rebels indefinitely?

It's stupid to join a war without a realistic strategic goal. If our goal is to vaporize Ghadafi, then I'd applaud our action. But we ought to be getting it done soon, then.

 

[EmperorHirohito]

What is our goal in Libya? That is a very good question Roland. Not many politicians are really saying what the 'end' goal is in Libya, I think their first goal is to hit his military network good and hard. There are reports that one of his sons Khamis Gaddafi has been killed by a suicide attack, but this had still to be confirmed.
As to our other goals for Libya, the peoples opposition forces fighting against him, may get weapons from a friendly source, who knows what could happen?
But I would not be surprised if one of the goals for our actions in Libya, was the complete removal of Gaddafi from power, by whatever means possible.

 

[mmickels]

Removal of the leader of Libya is what this is all about. Unfortunately, a war can not be run by committee, and this action is doomed from the start. France doesn't want the action to be lead by a NATO country (even though they are a NATO member), the USA doesn't want to be percieved as though they are leading the action, and the Arab nations are not behind this other than paying it lip service. That leaves a group of nations with no "head" and no will to follow the action through. I feel bad for the oppressed people of Libya, but I don't think this action will be their salvation.

 

[Lotorie]

Following the international summit held in Paris on Saturday, Nicolas Sarkozy announced the start of military action in Libya. Later in the morning before the meeting, the Libyan leader Kadhafi warned: "If you come into our country, you will regret it"

The operation was conducted in the early hours mainly by French forces, other components of the coalition, including British and American.

While Kadhafi said Friday a cease-fire, but bombing resumed at dawn Saturday in the south-west of Benghazi. Kadhafi accused the rebels of violating the cease-fire.

from Yahoo news.

It smells no good for him... no good for civilians too.

I hate war but seems the only way to save people over there.
My cousin is part of French army. I'm afraid... so afraid for him.
But it's his choice.

Sorry, a bit off topic...