Posted on 03/02/2011 1:12:55 PM PST by mojito
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Tuesday played down the likelihood that the United States would enforce a no-fly zone over Libya, citing numerous political obstacles and questioning the wisdom of taking military action against an additional Muslim country.
Gates said the Pentagon was preparing "a lot of options and contingencies" for President Obama to consider in response to the fighting in Libya and general instability in the region. Although Gates did not rule out establishing a no-fly zone to prevent Libyan ruler Moammar Gaddafi from carrying out airstrikes against rebel forces, he said such measures would have indirect consequences that "need to be considered very carefully."
For starters, Gates noted that the U.N. Security Council had not authorized military intervention in Libya and that NATO was also divided on the subject. He also suggested that such a military campaign could drain U.S. forces away from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
[....]
On Capitol Hill, Gen. James N. Mattis, the head of U.S. Central Command, told a Senate panel that it would be necessary to preemptively attack Libyan air-defense batteries and installations to ensure that they could not shoot down U.S. or NATO planes.
"It would be a military operation," he said. "It wouldn't be just telling people not to fly airplanes."
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, echoed Mattis's warning about preemptive strikes on Libyan targets. "We'd have to work out way through it, do it in a safe manner and not put ourselves in jeopardy," he said in a joint appearance with Gates.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Both sides hate us now. Both sides will hate us after this is all over, no matter what we do.
Evacuate our people and let the Libyans slaughter each other.
Anyone who wants any more troops used with Obama in charge is totally nuts.
well, McLame does. Jon Cary does.
That about says it all.
Of course this president won't follow through, so we might as well do nothing.
Think of Libya as the NY underworld in the 1930’s. On mobster is losing his grip, and some others have sprung up to see if they can grab a share of the game (in this case it is oil).
Do we really want to try and pick winners in this?
...................”a lot of options and contingencies” for President Obama to consider ...........................
Gates, first you have to find him! He’s either on the golf course, shooting some hoops, handing out medals in the East Room, or hiding under his desk in the Oral Office.
What a weak no account wussie!
What we need is a NO-LIE Zone in DC...................
They all have chromosomes missing, and they are not fully evolved. Why else would they carry on NON-STOP with violence, brutality and ignorance?
I’m sorry, but after Gate’s performance over the last couple of years, I don’t care to hear anything he has to say.
I’m not in favor of enforcing a no fly zone. Nothing Gates could offer up would help with that decision.
He has been Obama’s lap dog too often for me to take what he says seriously.
Once again Obambi’s incompetant boobs shoot from the hip and miss...
Precisely, and IF we are going to act it should be against a threat, a threat against us, a known threat... such as Iran.More people need to see Iranium....
All these side shows while Iran is marching ahead at light speed..... and I would bet these side shows are precisely that... intentional sideshows to detract and redirect attention from what they are up to.
ANY other military option is just a wasste of taxpayers dollars and America’s resources, which is consistent with the Obama model.
As much as I'd love to see Qaddafi get the Mussolini treatment, I'm just not sure it is worth any American blood to speed that event on.
This is what Tomahawks were created for.
We should stay away unless PAID very well for the effort!
I say "no" to the no fly zone but the above admission shows how weak and hand-wringy we have become.
Zilch.
Just like Afghanistan.
Yes. But one of the targets would be communication, command & control centers for their integrated air defense net. These communications hubs are likely in built up areas or even in bunkers beneath civilian office buildings.
If we have good reason to hit them, so be it.
I’m sure we will see the “no blood for oil” protests any day now.
In you want to kill Iranians it makes more sense to do it where we know they are Iranians and not a damn goat herder. They would be a lot of miles miles east.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.