Qaddafi Presses Harder on the Resistance

Since the bombing on Saturday, Qaddafi has pushed even harder against the rebel cities, supplying tanks and snipers to attack innocent civilians. Deaths have increased to 90 over a 90 day period. The question is, "What will the allies do next to stop the violence?"

A senior British commander said Wednesday that the allies had effectively destroyed the Libyan air force and air defenses and were now able to operate “with near impunity” across the country, Reuters reported. “We are now applying sustained and unrelenting pressure on the Libyan armed forces,” the commander, Air Vice Marshal Greg Bagwell, said at an airbase in southern Italy where British warplanes are based. 

It seems as if these tactics were used several times before to force dictators to step down. I feel the UN made a good diplomatic move by making a united stand against Qaddafi's actions, but unlike before, Qaddafi is defying the majority and is hoping to become a martyr if he does not prevail.

Colonel Qaddafi himself made a brief but defiant appearance on Libyan television on Tuesday night, appearing at what reporters were told was his Tripoli residence to denounce the bombing raids and pledge victory. “I am here!” he shouted from a balcony to supporters waving green flags. “I am here! I am here!” It was his first known public appearance since the allied bombing began on Saturday.
“We will not surrender,” he told supporters. “We will defeat them by any means. We are ready for the fight, whether it will be a short or a long one. We will be victorious in the end,” he said. “This assault is by a bunch of fascists who will end up in the dustbin of history.” 

The amount of arrogance is a direct view of his delusion. He believes that he is needed because of his country's resources, and has taken bargaining off the table. Anything that involves the genocide of one's people, must be stopped at all costs, but like Robert Gates is saying, it is up to the people of Libya.

Mr. Gates said it was not up to outside powers to dictate the final form of Libya’s government, nor to try to negotiate between the government and rebels. “It seems to me that if there is mediation to be done, if there is a role to be played, it is among the Libyans themselves,” he said. “This matter, at the end of the day, is going to have to be settled by Libyans. It’s their country.”

On a personal note, my feelings toward Libya are split. I feel when the mass murder of a nation occurs, there is a moral obligation to stop it. The problem I have, is whether the constitution or congress should allow this. Having two wars already on our plate is enough to make us question what President Obama's plan will be, so the world waits for what is to unfold.

Tension Grows In Libya

Currently, the Libyan government has been oppressing its citizens, resulting in the torture and murder of innocent civilians. Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi is staying ignorant to the demands of the Libyan people. As of now, rebel forces are being pushed into the refinery town of Ras Lanuf, which could spell disaster for their numbers. The world view of what is happening in Libya is clear.

The debate on a no-flight zone has become louder in world capitals. European countries like Britain and France seem to favor the idea while the United State defense secretary, Robert M. Gates, has underscored the difficulties of imposing such a ban, though he has seemed to soften his resistance in recent days. Britain and France are working on a United Nations resolution to authorize a no-flight zone, although it was unclear whether such a measure could gain the necessary votes of Russia and China in the Security Council.
President Obama and the British prime minister, David Cameron, in a phone call Tuesday, agreed on the shared objective of “the departure of Qaddafi from power as quickly as possible,” the White House said in a statement, adding that they would “press forward with planning, including at NATO, on the full spectrum of possible responses, including surveillance, humanitarian assistance, enforcement of the arms embargo and a no-fly zone.”

Whatever the United States decides, it is important to consider the consequences if the U.S. chooses the wrong side. Although insane, Qaddafi makes a point that can be taken seriously by the uneducated in Libya.

“Such a move would be very useful in a way that all Libyan people would then realize that their real intention is to take Libya under control, take people’s freedoms away and seize their oil,” he said. “Therefore, all Libyan people would take up arms and fight."
“The stability of Libya means the security of the Mediterranean and therefore the security of the world,” Colonel Qaddafi said. “If Al Qaeda takes over in Libya, it would be a major disaster and Europe would soon be filled with refugees that Al Qaeda would transfer from Africa.”

This situation cautions the US to tread lightly and think clearly. Creating more unrest would only result in making an enemy of the new power of Libya after Qaddafi.