The Middle East-and U.S. Policy-in Growing Disarray

James Phillips / March 17, 2011

Troops loyal to Libyan dictator Muammar Qadhafi’s regime continued their advance toward the rebel stronghold of Benghazi yesterday, as the Obama Administration scrambled to mount a response at the U.N. Security Council, where it now apparently favors a more muscular approach to the crisis. Today the Obama Administration is reportedly pushing for a Security Council resolution that would authorize a no-fly zone and air strikes against regime forces that threaten Libyan opposition forces.

The Obama Administration has been widely criticized for ruling out military action unless it is first approved by the Security Council, a formula for endless foot-dragging and hand-wringing. European diplomats who met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the G-8 summit earlier this week were left with more questions about U.S. policy than answers. Clinton apparently stayed out of the policy debate and permitted Russia and Germany to block calls for immediate action in establishing a no-fly zone. One European diplomat complained: “Frankly we are just completely puzzled. We are wondering if this is a priority for the United States.” (more…)