Are We at War?

Last night President Obama gave a speech on the battle for Libya.  While people agreed it was necessary many feel as though the president’s answers were lacking.  He tried to avoid directly answering questions on how much it will cost, how long we will be involved, and what are the criteria for our involvement like this in other nations of the world.  The GOP reacted by saying the president was nine days late in this speech and that he should have talked to Congress before taking our country to war.  The Democrats supported the speech and said Obama needs to keep up the stream of information to the American people.

                My biggest worry when this trouble with Libya started was that America would get stuck in another foreign war without the help of the international community.  I commend Obama on handling this situation in such a way that we are not the main force in this effort, and that now control is being turned over to NATO.  While I agree this speech did come a little late, I also understand why Obama acted first, without going to Congress.  Action was needed in Libya, there can be no doubt of that.  Had we waited too long the rebel forces may have been destroyed and I’m sure the international community would blame America for not acting fast enough.  A speech telling the American people what our goals and involvement should have been issued sooner than nine days after our involvement started though.  This situation does leave a sense of inquisitiveness as to what the exact criteria for international aid to a country actually is.

Violence Once Again...

The international community, with the support of the United Nations has exhausted all possible peaceful options in ousting Gadhafi from his tyrannical position in Libya.  Embargos, isolation, sanctions, and demands for a cease-fire have resulted in nothing.  The international community is now launching military attacks in support of the Libyan rebels.  The support is coming in the form of planes missiles though, as of now no international ground troops have been deployed.  At least eight countries have sent some sort of military support to Libya.

                Here we go again.  Another war began in the Middle East last week when a French fighter jet launched the first international strike on Gadhafi’s forces.  This is an action that is needed, Gadhafi’s rule was one of oppression and violence that is exemplified by his treatment of his own people as they started to protest.  I’m glad that the U.S. is helping this effort, but are not alone and have the full backing of the U.N.  We don’t need another foreign war where we alone are fighting the enemy.  As of now there are no international ground troops supporting the rebels.  Personally I hope U.S. ground troops stay out of Libya, we have too many troops deployed overseas to add another country to the list.  In addition with an economy that is starting to claw its way back to success we can’t start spending more, that would lead to a large increase in debt and could possibly turn into a double dip recession. 

The Dominoes Continue to Fall, Making a Big Mess

Not to beat a dead horse but the violence in the Middle East is continuing this week.  Unlike the peaceful transition in Egypt Libya has turned into an all out war zone as rebels try to oust Gadhafi who has been in power for 41 years.  With oil prices rising due to this conflict who controls the oil fields has become an important factor in this rebellion as well.  On top of all this three Dutch troops are being held by the Libyan government who were captured as they tried to evacuate a Dutch citizen.  Some rebels and other people from the international community are calling for a no fly zone over Libya but the U.S. is hesitant to get involved in another foreign war.

The times we are living in right now are truly some eventful and history changing times.  As more Middle Eastern countries are succumbing to the domino effect it makes me wonder just where will it stop?  In my opinion this fervor for rebellion has the possibility to spread outside the Middle East to other, oppressively run government, mainly China.  They earn $7,500 per person per year there while the government and corporations continue to gain more money.  With housing and resources becoming more expensive I feel as though there is a strong potential for at least protests to start in China, especially due to their censorship of the internet which many hackers continue to fight and break trough.  All in all I’m glad the U.S. has not taken a stance on this war yet, we don’t need to get involved in another foreign war, we are already way too far in debt.  The international community may not like it, and say we are picking and choosing our battles, I call it learning from our mistakes.