America Takes the Backseat

The essential significance of the 22-nation attack on Libya is not that it’ll get rid of Muammar Qaddafi, but that it marks a shift in world politics.

Yes, the dithering that went on prior to the UN Security Council okaying a “no fly” zone and “all necessary means” to protect the Libyan people, came perilously late – but it came.

It was a polite way of saying we (the allies and the Arab League) are intent on “regime change.” The rhetoric that it is out of concern for Qaddafi killing his own people (a phrase being endlessly repeated) is nonsense. An excuse. Rationalization.

Since when did the U.S., Britain, France, Canada or any country bestir itself to react against a tyrant, or tyranny, punishing, repressing, killing its own people? The world tolerates all sorts of human rights abuses and killing, so long as it doesn’t involve us, -- or if we benefit from it.

Or, until the dictator in question begins to slip. Becomes vulnerable.

The world never did anything when the old Soviet Union slaughtered millions of its own, nor when China killed even more. Saddam Hussein could fill mass graves with impunity, so long as he was on top.

Qaddafi was on the UN Human Rights Council until the apparently leaderless rebellion swept across Libya at the end of February. Only then was Libya suspended. Cynical and self-serving, but that’s realpolitik.

No, the real change since the Security Council approval to attack Qaddafi, is that for one of the few times since WWII, the U.S. has opted not to take the lead in a controversial but necessary action.

No troops on the ground is one thing, but the air war to ensure that Libyan strike aircraft are grounded is being waged by Britain, France, Italy, Canada and token Arab support.

U.S. cruise missiles have taken out Qaddafi’s air defenses; maybe unmanned American attack drones (perfected in Pakistan and Afghanistan) will be used. But in this deployment, the U.S. prefers a supporting role.

And that is good. About time allied Western nations took on some of the leadership burden that’s been America’s role (and fate) since WWII.

Prior to WWII, it was Britain on whom responsibility fell for how the world should be. Britain drew a line in the sand in Czechoslovakia against Nazi expansionism, and when Hitler paid no attention, the line was re-drawn in Poland – and this time Britain didn’t waver. WWII was the result.

After WWII, America became the world’s conscience as well as policeman – and was criticized for every mistake or controversy.

Although President Barack Obama has been too prone to travel the world and do a mea culpa act to various tyrants, he has been right to insist that others take the lead. For once, America will follow.

Abuse and criticism heaped on the U.S. over the Iraq war and now Afghanistan, justifies Obama’s reluctance to be the point guy, or lightning rod. If the UN had guts and integrity it would have moved against Saddam Hussein years before the U.S. did.

It’s similar with Qaddafi.

The world is in the midst of a sinister war against Muslim jihadism – whose prime victims are other Muslims. Europe finally realizes this, and that, in part, may have firmed up the backbone of France and Britain.

At any rate, Libya signals a new phase – one that’s long overdue.

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