The Quagmire of Obama’s War in Libya

The Quagmire of Obama’s War in Libya

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

How is it possible for so many of the elite intelligentsia to be so DUMB?  

I am referring to the humongous blunder by Britain, France -- and especially the United States – in deciding on an air invasion of Libya. The invasion of Libya, and make no mistake about it, that is exactly what it was,  had “Tar Baby” written all over it from the moment the" commence" order was given. 

(For those of you unfamiliar with the term “Tar Baby” from the Uncle Remus stories by Joel Chandler Harris, and the Movie “Song of the South,” here is the definition: “tar baby n. A situation or problem from which it is virtually impossible to disentangle oneself.” (SOURCE)  Don’t you just LOVE Political Correctness???)

Anyway, as I was saying, any fool could see the “Kinetic Warfare,” or whatever the heck the political correctness specialists in the White House are calling it these days, was doomed to be a quagmire and eventually a failure from the moment it began.

Any warrior, or veteran, can tell you that in war you cannot hold ground without troops on that ground defending it.  In fact, it is darn near impossible to TAKE ground without troops on that ground as the point of the spear thrusting deeply into the heart of the enemy. 

Ok.  I can hear the catcalls from the sidelines now.  So, I AM an armchair general!  It doesn’t change the facts -- and the facts are -- that this pitiful show in Libya will go on as long those two antagonists on the ground want it to go on and not one minute longer.

Over the past weeks we have heard reports that some British troops were, indeed, already on the ground in Libya. Reports have them advising the rebels.  When I hear the word “adviser” I have flashbacks of Vietnam.  I must tell you – Obama’s War has the strong potential of becoming the Vietnam War -- sans the jungle!

Today we learn that the brass running the show in Libya are, indeed, considering placing troops on the ground in Libya.  Surprise!  Surprise! 

“The United States may consider sending troops into Libya with a possible international ground force that could aid the rebels, according to the general who led the military mission until NATO took over.


Army Gen. Carter Ham also told lawmakers Thursday that added American participation would not be ideal, and ground troops could erode the international coalition and make it more difficult to get Arab support for operations in Libya.” (SOURCE)

My goodness!  You don't think the President of the United States would lie to us... do you?


The report goes on to say:  “Ham said the operation was largely stalemated now and was more likely to remain that way since America has transferred control to NATO.” (SOURCE)

No kidding?  Who’d uh thunk it?


And now NATO is getting cold feet.  It has become clear to them that their “splendid little war” is quickly stalling and they are staring a stalemate in the face.  In other words… Vietnam … all over again.
  
In an article entitled:  "NATO Fears War without End in Libya" by Carsten Volkery at Spiegel Online International, the writer says: “The front in Libya is barely moving as the country remains split between rebels and Gadhafi's troops. The rebels are complaining of not receiving enough air support, but NATO is hardly in a position to ramp it up after the withdrawal of US fighter jets. The resulting stalemate underscores the lack of a clear strategy for the allies in Libya.”

The article goes on to quote," Fawaz Gerges, a Middle East expert at the London School of Economics:  "Libya appears to be sliding into a prolonged conflict with no light at the end of the tunnel … ."  You may read Mr. Gerges’ commentary (HERE).

We ALL know, now,even those on the left) whose self-imposed blindness to the ineptitude of their leftist president is palpable, that Obama is certainly not a warrior.  He has no taste for martial activities.  And that is putting it mildly. 

Obama has vowed and vowed and vowed that there would be no American troops on the ground in Libya.  If he keeps that promise, it appears that Obama’s War will go on for many years – at least until the NATO countries mutiny, turn tail, and skulk back home shame-faced.

It is becoming clear to everyone that Obama’s War in Libya was a fool’s errand from the beginning and is getting worse by the day.

J. D. Longstreet