I have not been one of those castigating President Obama for decreasing American power—either deliberately or inadvertently. His muscular policy in Afghanistan, for example, belies this charge. But there is no question that his weak, vacillating response to the slaughter now unfolding in Libya will reduce American power and prestige in ways that will do us incalculable long-term harm.
You know, unlike a nine-year quagmire in Afghanistan or an eight-year one in Iraq. It gets worse.
As the enforcement of no-fly zones over Bosnia and Iraq should have proved, the risks of such an operation are minimal—especially if we first neutralize Gadhafi's air defenses.
By itself, a no-fly zone might not be enough to topple Gadhafi. At the very least, however, it would dishearten Gadhafi's supporters and buy time for the rebels. We could further tilt the balance in their favor by bombing Gadhafi's installations and troops.
It may also be necessary to send arms and Special Forces trainers to support the rebels. Without committing any combat troops of our own, we could deliver the same kind of potent combined-arms punch that drove the Serbs out of Kosovo when NATO aircraft supported ground operations by the Kosovo Liberation Army.
A no-fly zone would be really easy...except for the fact we'd have to put US troops on the ground to "deliver a combined-arms punch" and stuff. At least he admits that a no-fly zone might not work and we'd have to escalate into a full-fledged invasion of Libya. But gosh darnint, that's a risk we have to take or people might think we're pussies or something, so some Libyans have to get the crap bombed out of them.
Insert "we'll be greeted as liberators" recycled Iraq run-up phrases here, circa 2002.
Oh, and over at State, Hillary's had enough, apparently.
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