Opinion
What’s Obama waiting for?
Giora Eiland
Published: 01.03.11, 00:38
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1. America must lead, not die
Mark Jeffery Koch ,   Cherry Hill, NJ USA   (03.01.11)
To sit idly by while Ghadafi murders unarmed protesters with automatic weapons and bombs dropped by planes is not an example of America's finest hour. We have a President who does not believe in American exceptionalism but instead believes in the United Nations, the same United Nations that Bill Clinton went to for helping ending the genocide in Kosovo, which was refused, and then the U.S., Britain, and France unilaterally bombed Serbia until it stopped its mass murder. Obama puts his faith in the U.N., the same U.N. that did nothing about the famine in Somalia, and it only ended with the first President Bush sent our forces in to end the starvation. Obama believes in the U.N.. the same U.N. who stood by while 800,000 people were massacred in Rwanda and did nothing, and the same U.N. that has done nothing about the genocide in Darfur. We need a President to say "enough!" and send aid to the rebels as well as a stealth bomber to take Ghadafi out. America is supposed to stand for something and it appears we have a leader who would rather pass the baton of leadership to other countries, none of whom have ever shown interest in ending war, destruction, oppression, and subjugation of another people. Who will lead if not the U.S.? The Russians and Chinese who subjugate their own people and murder and imprison dissidents and who are more interested in selling arms to these countries and getting their oil ? The French who cozied up to the leaders of Tunesia and Libya? The Brits who are disarming as fast as they can? Either America takes a strong stand or else the world will become a far darker place. Period.
2. just tell Obama he is wasting a good crisis
gilad ,   nyc   (03.01.11)
3. Israel/US interests
(03.01.11)
"It is vital in respect to building American deterrent power in the region." "which produced a convenient opportunity to reshape America’s policy" Yeah, that's what it is all about. Israel/US give a damn about the people of Libya or 'democracy'.
4. Military Intervention in Libya
Elias   (03.01.11)
Nice concept, but perhaps when the Americans are already out of their depth with their futile wars against Islam in Iraq and Afghanistan, then opening another front in Libya would be political suicide. Perhaps if the Israelis feel so strongly about it, then they should invade Libya themselves and deliver the people from the influence of the Islamic mafia, but given their performance in the 2006 Lebanon war, then that might not be such a good idea.
5. The Obama administration is totally out of its depth
michael redbourn ,   Arad - Israel   (03.01.11)
From his very first week in office Obama alienated one ally after the other until none were left. http://tiny.cc/foreignpolicydisaster And he gained no allies. And until a few weeks ago I thought that maybe he had some concealed master plan who's goal was to destroy the US from within. Watching what is happening in Libya saddens and shocks me deeply. It saddens me that mostly unarmed people are being slaughtered by aircraft, tanks and machine guns etc. But what shocks me is something that should have been obvious before. The West has become almost impotent. Italy and Australia suggested no-fly zones as a starter but were told that all 14 members of the security council would have to agree. Clinton keeps telling the world that, "all options are on the table" which is meaningless drivel. Is there a ray of hope for the West and for Libyans? The UK government announced today that it is not only considering a no-fly zone but is also considering arming the Libyan protesters. We must wait and see if the West has one leader who will grab the bull by the horns. I no longer believe Obama has some master plan to destroy the US although he's doing it. I now believe he's an extreme left-wing academic who's totally out of his depth and floundering.
6. Too bad
Chris ,   USA   (03.01.11)
Bernard Madoff won't be there for 150 years imprisonment
7. 1/2 Even Fox news has Repoted that US Troops are in Transit
Mark ben Josuf ,   USA   (03.01.11)
8. the article is a naive view of the problem
zionist forever   (03.01.11)
1) What is needed is not a no fly zone its the destruction of Libyan airbases, sites where Scud missiles are known to be stored and any military bases known to be still under Gaddafis control nice and quick and easy in and out operation. If the UN doesn't want to do it then the US should quietly ask Egypt and as a last resort Israel to do it illegally. 2) NATO are going to send in any ground forces even under a UN banner. They have had enough problems with Iraq & Afghanistan and they don't want to get involved in another conflict. There is a real chance that once Gaddafi is dead the country will slide into civil war and nobody in NATO wants to get involved in a civil war and have their people get shot at. Nobody knows what will happen when Gaddafi is gone. 3) What might be possible is for the UN to send in forces to protect the oil fields using the excuse they are Libya's national assets and need protection. 4) It is unlikely the UN forces would be welcomed on the streets in a country which is not united on its desire for the countries future. The UN might be looked upon as colonialist occupiers so best to limit any UN presence to a small force protecting the oil where they wont be seen by the masses everyday. It might be possible to have some troops from the African Union rather than UN in the streets assuming even they are accepted and in civil war its possible they won't be, 5) Under no circumstances should the UN or anybody else start pushing for democracy in Libya. The priority must be stability not democracy and any system that brings stability must be supported.
9. What’s Obama waiting for? maybe for the bus : )
Salma ,   Palestine   (03.01.11)
I'm really confused . Why do the "Israelis" want to implicate the United States whenever the opportunity arises for that? U.S. deterrent force has already undermined by the violent intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan, they don't need to enter a new adventure in Libya, especially the Libyan people said loud and clear they don't want any foreign intervention in their internal affairs, the United States can only help if it respected the choices of the Libyan people.
10. Obama vs. Libya
Barbara ,   Haifa Israel   (03.01.11)
Huh, people, didn't Obama say he was minimizing the armed forces in Iraq and put more forces in Afghanistan ? I think he has a full plate. And he is against war. I'm thinking that entering any kind of war tactics with Libya will open a wound and start another Vietnam war. Sorry, but I see Libya getting out of this by itself. Hopefully.
11. Sorry Salma
Mark of Lewiston ,   Lewiston USA   (03.01.11)
The US is under domestic pressure to intervene in Libya. The USMC has been to the shores of Tripoli before. Maybe the Libyans can forestall a landing by getting Gadhafi out themselves.
12. #8 - the answer is much simpler
michael redbourn ,   Arad - Israel   (03.01.11)
Supply weapons and create a no-fly zone. No more is needed. Simply supplying weapons which the UK is presently thinking of doing might be all that is needed. The present show of western impotence is embarrassing and painful :-( Michael
13. US needs another war front like an aneurism
Tahl   (03.01.11)
With over 5000 dead in Iraq and Afghanistan, a national debt which is doubtful to be paid off by 2100, and a prez who is totally clueless in foreign policy, I don't see the Navy ships docking in Tripoli anytime soon.
14. Obama simply does not care
Assi ,   Rehovot, Israel   (03.01.11)
Did Obama act in Iran when Ahmadinejad threatened to destroy Israel chas ve shalom? Did Obama act in Lebanon when Hizbullah took over the government? Did Obama help Mubarak when he needed help? Did Obama listen to the American people when they told him they did not want Obamacare? Obama surely will not intervene militarily in Libya. The truth is that Obama just does not care about America or about its interests. Obama just cares about himself.
15. To: No. 11
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (03.01.11)
Actually, the greatest amount of pressure being brought to bear on Obama with respect to intervening in Libya is coming from the Kuwaitis and the Saudis, and probably the other oil-producing Gulf states. Unrest has already spread to Bahrain (which has some oil) and Oman (which has lots and lots of oil). Libya is an oil-producing state, which the West is allowing to descend into complete anarchy. The Saudis, the Kuwaitis, the Omanis and the rest of the sheikhdoms that float on oil do not want their populations to get the idea that they might be able to get rid of the tyrannical rules under which they live. What's a naive and clueless president to do? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
16. #4 Elias
Edwin ,   Canada   (03.01.11)
Elias, you maybe in for a shock in the next Israeli-Arab conflict. At least the Egyptian army learnt their lesson. Only last year, the father-in-law of an Egyptian general told me the Egyptian military estimate Israel would win against all the Arab armies combined in a convential war. That is why the Arabs have resorted to terror.
17. #13 why are you talking war?
jane ,   london   (03.01.11)
The US can impose a military no-fly zone within 30-40 minutes and get drop arms in a slightly longer amount of time. Noboby anywhere is suggesting an armed invasion. Just Easy To Give Help!
18. #6 - and seven people rule the world etc
michael peterson ,   LA - USA   (03.01.11)
What article are you posting to? Confused?
19. To: No. 17
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (03.01.11)
Has the RAF disbanded or something? Why doesn't the U.K. intervene? You know, if you depend upon the United States for so much (and face it -- you do), then the least you can do in return is to support the United States' position in United Nations votes. Show that you are NOT afraid of your burgeoning Islamist population (including, sadly for you, lots of home-grown second-generation Moslems). The United States saved your collective asses in two wars. It's high time YOU did something for US.
20. Two extremely interesting articles
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (03.01.11)
.... if anyone is interested: http://www.danielpipes.org/9534/arab-revolt http://nationalinterest.org/print/article/america-primed-4892
21. Considering
Madeleine ,   Rehovot Israel   (03.01.11)
Sounds like the West is considering in earnest. We will wait with baited (or not) breath to see whether they decide to do nothing, make a resolution (for future implementation) or send in the troops. Somehow doubt the latter.
22. @ Giora Eiland
Sheik Rattle & Roll ,   USA   (03.01.11)
What is wrong with you? Why can't you state what are the Eurowimps waiting for? It is more of a European problem and a middle eastern problem in which Israel is a part of if you didn't know. We are broke and war weary and it is time some one else does the heavy lifting. Stop pointing fingers at the USA/OBAMA and look else where. We have had enough and we need to focus inward and if you speak to a thousand Americans ninety percent will probably say the same.
23. @14 BIBI doesn't care so why should OBAMA?
Sheik Rattle & Roll ,   USA   (03.01.11)
What is wrong with you? What did Israel do when Iran threatened you? What did Israel do when Hezbollah took over and recently threatened? What did Israel do when your most important Arab ally was overthrown? Come on 14 Israel is the most powerful country in the middle east by far and you are waiting for OBAMA to act in Israels interest and you don't even ( BIBI) act in your own interest except give worthless speeches on how bad the Iranians are. MAN-UP BIBI.
24. OBAMA IS WAITING FOR -
Orao. ,   Srbia.   (03.01.11)
Clinton: Libya could be democracy or face long war Published: 03.01.11, 18:29 / Israel News Libya could become a democracy or face a drawn-out civil war, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday. Clinton, in prepared testimony to US lawmakers, urged them not to cut spending on diplomacy and foreign aid too deeply despite concern about the national debt, saying Libya was an example of how the United States needed funds to deal with crises abroad."In the years ahead, Libya could become a peaceful democracy or it could face protracted civil war," she said. (Reuters) Comment - SINCE THERE WILL BE NO DEMOCRACY IN LIBYA, - IT MUST BE A LONG WAR ? Orao.Srbia.
25. We are weary of everyone hammering on the US door
Cameron ,   USA   (03.02.11)
We will not play the lil Dutch boy forever sticking his finger into the international dyke (so to speak). When the current Libyan knife fight finally settles with a decisive jab, then we get pro-active, and make arrangements with the winner.
26. #7 Mark Ben Josuf
BEN JABO ,   ISRAEL   (03.02.11)
In transit doesn't mean anything, the question still remains is where are they, how and when are they going to be deployed Ships take a long time, if you use planes you can't ship too many at once If they try to land planes, you can be certain the runways will have been made inoperable, if by sea, they're sitting ducks in the water, unless there’s a Naval Bombardment, which will make the Libyan civilians mad as hell because their homes will be destroyed in the process
27. #9 Salma, you really don't get it, do you?
BEN JABO ,   ISRAEL   (03.02.11)
Obama just loves to insinuate himself into every situation, trying to prove what a great leader he is He doesn't need any help from Israel or anyone else to make a fool of himself, he's quite capable of doing it all on his lonesome Obama Healthcare, High Unemployment, Economy in the doldrums, everything is screwed up, thanks to Obama Decisions, decisions, everytime he makes one, he screws up the works Obama is resorting to financial means and embargoes to express his opinions of Libya, it’s unlikely he'll put any troops on the ground, Congress won't let him Libyan people said a lot of things that were "clear", it just depended on who pulled them by the nose and told them to say it You also mentioned Gaza, when are you departing ?
28. #11 Mark of Lewiston
BEN JABO ,   ISRAE L   (03.02.11)
Has anyone from the American Government or USMC consulted you for your expertise ? Media interviews, maybe " The next time the USMC goes into action, you can stand, salute & sing "From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli" Other than that, what have you ever done, other than type, to contribute to the situation in the Middle East ? Pick a country, any country; tell us what your contribution was
29. #14 Assi, you hit the nail on the head
BEN JABO ,   ISRAEL   (03.02.11)
Barak Hussein & Michelle tell the American people they have to economize and watch their diets, while they spend like mad and eat like hogs Both of them take extensive vacations; give dinners with bottles of wine that cost $399 dollars Obama flies his trainer in from Chicago once a week, at Government expense; Michelle does the same with the person that is her fashion advisor Michelle went to Spain, took a huge entourage with her, costing millions of taxpayer dollars America now has its own parasitic Royalty, the Obama's Caring for nothing but themselves The old people haven't gotten a cost of living increase since 2008, while the Obama's live in the lap of luxury I recall that when Obama first took office and had his first State Dinner, the had "Kobe Beef" which is several hundred dollars a pound "Marie Aniontoinette - Let them eat cake", that's Michelle
30. USA Is Tired Of Fighting Proxy Wars For Israel
World Citizen ,   the world   (03.02.11)
You Jews need to fight your own wars with your own blood and treasure. The rest of the civilized world and even the Americans are getting sick of your crap.
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