Paving the way for the largest collaborative military action in the Middle East since the invasion of Iraq, the U.N. has authorized the use of “all necessary action” to protect Libyan civilians.
Lessons have been learned since Iraq’s invasion, though, and this move by the U.N. is a beautiful example of the right direction in which global diplomacy is moving.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made clear from the start the U.S. would not headline military action in Libya. She said any action must be decided upon by the international community as a whole, which was wise and, as it turns out, beneficial for everyone involved.
Even the Arab League collectively called upon the U.N. to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, granting even more credence to the motion. The only nations in the U.N. Security Council who did not vote in favor were Germany, China and Russia, all of which abstained.
Regardless, the measure passed the Security Council on Thursday, and nations had air forces ready to move that night.
Though Americans tend not to consider France much of a military actor, French President Nicolas Sarkozy actually headlined movement toward direct military action against Moammar Gadhafi’s forces in Libya. Following the U.N.’s decision, Sarkozy hosted an emergency summit Saturday where nations could discuss exactly what “all necessary action” might entail.
France even had jets flying over the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, bombing Gadhafi’s tanks before the summit adjourned.
The actions are strictly for defense of the people by disarming Gadhafi. France and Britain were first to utilize their air forces, while American warships and submarines, according to the Pentagon, fired off 110 tomahawk missiles Saturday aimed at Gadhafi’s air defense systems, radar sites and command-and-control centers.
President Barack Obama has promised that no ground troops will be deployed in Libya.
Thus far, the internationally coordinated actions taken to protect the civilians in Libya have been executed admirably.
The U.N. passed a just-vague-enough motion in an emergency, and no nation has engaged in military activity prior to garnering international support — save France, though support soon followed nonetheless.
To protect innocent lives, “all necessary action” was the perfect terminology for such a bill, as it condoned immediate defensive responses held to one standard: that they protect the people of Libya.
Such coordination has also made a bold statement about the role of international government organizations in our world. While a government exists to protect all citizens within its borders, organizations such as the U.N. and the Arab League exist to protect civilians everywhere.
Gadhafi’s next move now has the world on edge. After feigning a cease-fire, Gadhafi has declared a “long war” following the military intervention.
Against such unanimous opposition, Gadhafi knew it was too late to surrender given his adamance in the past.
Rebels in Benghazi, the final stronghold for his opposition, have reported not only the presence of Gadhafi’s tanks but also of rooftop snipers and, according to American officials, Gadhafi has a large stockpile of weapons — including mustard gas — at his disposal.
My concern is Gadhafi will simply shrug, mutter an Arabic version of “to hell with it” and start killing people, but this is a worst-case scenario.
One must remember, in an address to his own people, Gadhafi swore there would be “no mercy and no pity” when dealing with the rebels.
Even since the strikes against Gadhafi’s forces began, Obama made clear his reluctance to military action, which is what one should hope to see in a commander-in-chief.
“The use of force is not our first choice, and it’s not a choice that I make lightly,” he assured. “But we can’t stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people that there will be no mercy.”
Regardless of what Americans may think of Obama’s domestic policy, his command and the coordination of the international community on behalf of the people of Libya are politics of which to be proud.
Clayton Crockett is a 19-year-old international studies freshman from Lafayette. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_ccrockett.
 
____
Contact Clayton Crockett at
[email protected]