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The Spectacle Blog
The apparent overthrow of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi is obviously a good and long overdue thing. But those eager to declare “Mission Accomplished” might want to reflect upon recent history (in Iraq and Afghanistan) and the nature of modern-day war.
Did the 2001 overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan mean the end of the war in Afghanistan? Did the 2003 overthrow of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein mean the end of the Iraq War?
The reality is that modern-day wars in failed and failing states such as Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan and elsewhere are never truly over unless and until stability and effective governance have been restored. And this, in turn, requires much-derided “nation building.”
Of course, no one likes to admit that. We Americans especially prefer quick, neat and tidy wars, with a clear beginning and a clear ending. The real world, though — the world that we now live in — doesn’t work that way.
The truth is that, we don’t know what lies ahead in Libya. It’s doubtful that the situation there will ever become as unstable and anarchic as what we saw in Iraq and Afghanistan. Libya is much more advanced, culturally and economically, than Afghanistan and far less splintered along religious and class lines than Iraq.
Nonetheless, as John Tabin correctly points out, the end of Gaddafi doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the civil war in Libya. “The rebels,” he writes,
had a common foe in Gaddafi, but they are ideologically quite divided, and there are militias (including Islamist militias) that are not fully under the control of the National Transitional Council.
Moreover, it’s certainly true, as Reid Smith observes, that history has accorded the Libyan people little opportunity to develop democratic habits and mores. And that is why, I think, it is imperative that the United States act with dispatch to aid and assist the Libyan people. “Leading from behind” won’t cut it; America needs to set the example and show the way.
The truth is that what happens in Libya will have serious repercussions throughout the Middle East — in important places such as Syria and Egypt, where the fledgling forces of democracy face an uncertain and uphill battle. And so, the United States needs to bring all elements of national power — including perhaps the use of American ground troops — to support stability and foster democratic change in Libya.
The real question is: Does Obama have a plan to ensure that Libya doesn’t become a failed state and a terrorist playground? And the answer to that question, unfortunately, is: Who knows?! We’re still waiting for the president’s plans to balance the budget, reform entitlements, rein in spending, restore economic growth, create jobs.
Maybe Obama will share his plans with us (assuming that he has any) when he returns from his vacation with the hoity toity in Martha’s Vineyard. In the meantime, history surges forward, furiously and unpredictably.
View all comments (12) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by John R. Guardiano
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/08/21/mission-not-accomplished-in-li
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DrX| 8.21.11 @ 9:15PM
LOL, dumb cheap shot on Obama. He is stoopid like a fox on this one. Suck on it, haters! Cheers.
Alan Brooks| 8.21.11 @ 10:37PM
DrX,
if we were as quite as cruel as some of these haters, we would help them elect another GOPclone so they could dig themselves into an even deeper GOP-hole, they still don't get it after three years- since the '08 convention- what nothingburgers they keep running for office,
they think making the same mistake hoping for a different outcome will be transcended by God or something.
Alan Brooks| 8.21.11 @ 10:39PM
.. they will have to wait for Heaven for that...
Clint| 8.22.11 @ 2:39AM
The Little Agnostic Israel Firster ObamaBoy Brooks sees that His Mancrush, Obama is a Failed President, who will be deposed.
John Roberts | 8.21.11 @ 9:37PM
We cannot afford involvement in another foreign land where they don't want us anyway. Putting ground troops in Libya, in the midst of what the writer himself declares is likely further civil war, is insane. It's quite apparent that even after the total collapse of our dollar, economy and way of life NEOCONS will continue to demand we attempt to enforce our will on foreigners at the point of guns and bombs. The U.S. spends more on militarism than the rest of the world combined, is it any wonder we're bankrupt?
John Guardiano | 8.21.11 @ 9:43PM
Mr. Roberts,
Facts are stubborn things, aren't they? The reality is that defense spending has been declining, both as a share of the federal budget and as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product.
So the idea that defense spending is causing or contributing to our mounting debt problem simply isn't true.
As for "imposing our will on foreigners," I propose nothing of the sort. I simply ask that we assist democratic- and reform-minded peoples in key places and regions such as Libya, Syria, Egypt and elsewhere. And I urge that we do this not for some fanciful, pie-in-the-sky reason, but rather to protect and promote the American national interest.
Regards,
John
Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 8.21.11 @ 9:58PM
Libya's none of our business, but since the President just had to just start his "own" little War (like two Wars weren't enough), I guess it is now. If the President's smart, although he hasn't displayed that trait since he took office, he should just congratulate the Rebels and withdraw our ships and planes, and get out with what appears to be a victory for himself. This is their Country, and if they have to duke it out in a Civil War for awhile, to see who eventually runs the place, then so be it. But whoever comes out on top in the end, isn't going to be a real friend to us anyway, you know it, and I know it!! So don't waste another dollar, or even one American life (which could be mine by the way), on an Islamic Country that's going to hate us in the end anyway. We need to stop thinking that we can turn the Middle East into small versions of us (America), you can't, not as long as they follow that particular religion that they do. Freedom and Islam don't go together!! Declare Victory, the removal of Gaddafi, and get the hell out of town!! And don't look back!! No choosing sides, no nation building, no money for rebuilding, just get out and shut down Obama's little War!! It's a good day, Gaddafi's finished, and so are we!!
Bob K.| 8.21.11 @ 11:42PM
We use the word "democracy" like it is the same thing where ever it exists. It is not. It is different in every country which practices it.
The historian, John Lukacs, stated it best when commenting on President Woodrow Wilson's phrase; "To make the world safe for democracy." He called it a "hapless idea" and a "mindless phrase." "Perhaps Wilson's mindless phrase ought to be--may still be--reversed too: 'how to make democracy safe for the world,' which is a big question that Toqueville would have instantly understood." Quoted from "Democracy and Populism-Fear and Hatred." page 4. Which was published in 2005 before we ever heard of Obama.
Toqueville's "Democracy in America" was not about democracy. It was about democracy IN America. There is a difference.
Get the book and read it. ISBN 0-300-11693-4
Mark J. Goluskin | 8.22.11 @ 12:58AM
Your question,
The real question is: Does Obama have a plan to ensure that Libya doesn't become a failed state and a terrorist playground?
No. I worry that this ends up like the Iranian revolution and that will not end well for the United States.
MikeBee| 8.22.11 @ 8:56AM
I have one simple problem with what the U.S. is doing in Libya today. During W's presidency, I remember Gaddafi reaching out to the U.S., and pledging his support. Now, under the O, the U.S.'s official response to Gaddafi is to fire bombs at him and assist in removing him from power. Now, Gaddafi may have been reading the tea leaves, and reaching out simply for some protection, but still. What have we communicated to the leaders of other countries? The U.S. is not to be trusted.
JimH| 8.22.11 @ 9:49AM
When seaking to unseat various despots it is good to keep in mind the old ryhme: Always keep a hold of nurse for fear of finding something worse.
Karl| 8.23.11 @ 5:53AM
Obviously it's the brave thing to do, to stay and nurture the infant democracies we helped to bring into the world, rather than to abandon them to raise themselves. But is the US to martyr itself on this principle while the rest of the world pretends to be appalled by the analogy on which the principle rests?
If the US wants to lead, let's show the world what happens when we step back, this one (or another) time, like Germany, to build our economy and keep our military at home. It would be a meta-nationbuilding exercise, with its own hidden costs, yes; but I'd like to see it.