 |
| Will Obama stop Gadhafi? |
We have all been told about how "cautious" President Barack Obama is by nature, in addition to all the other "endearing qualities" that made even the most conflicted of souls, vote him into office.
Now, while those supposed qualities may engender 'consensus' through requisite introspection, when it comes to making time sensitive and critical decisions, this President has been found wanting.
As one of those who voted for Barack Obama, three years into his Presidency, I am left with an unsavory sense of buyer's remorse. Not because he has performed poorly in office (on the contrary, he has done quite well given the hand he was dealt), but that I and most other independents would like to see him grow a backbone and take a more decisive approach on critical issues.
This piece will not delve into any of the domestic matters we have recently faced in the United States. I am more concerned with how much of a by-stander this President has been, while Hillary Clinton bungles her way through international affairs, on a daily basis.
Let's take a look at what is happening in North Africa - Libya, to be precise.
Coming on the heels of the peaceful overthrow of repressive dictators in both Tunisia and Egypt (quite unprecedented actually), the Obama administration has been found pussy-footing again, with regard to what it should do about Gadhafi.
The same way the administration waded (blind-folded) through the Egyptian revolution and ultimately got rescued by a disciplined Egyptian military and political hierarchy, the White House has been unable to formulate a coordinated and directed policy on Libya.
It is NOT enough to just have a policy on evacuations, food and other related logistics. That is operational naivety at its very worst. How can you stop the bleeding when you have not attacked the root cause of the blood-shed?
It is obvious Gadhafi feels he can do whatever he wants with his own people and get away with it. What is even more troubling is that much of the world is left to feel that way, at this point.
That will however change as soon as the most powerful man in the world finally grows a backbone and at least, takes the lead in enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya.
That would at least, be a start.
Posts
