Too late in Libya

When the nation’s top intelligence official, James Clapper, recently told a Senate hearing that Libyan leader Col. Gadhafi would likely survive the rebellion in his country, opponents and supporters of the Obama administration were quick to denounce the opinion.  Sen. Lindsey Graham immediately called for Clapper’s firing.  Publicly, Pres. Obama spokesmen were dismissive of Clapper’s view, even though they support him.  It’s not politically correct to say that the Muslim rebels are going to be beat.  But here’s the thing:  the only thing I think Mr. Clapper got wrong was the verb tense.  It’s not that Gadhafi will survive,  HE HAS SURVIVED.  It is only a matter on time before the Libyan leader and his sons retake all of the country and crush the rebellion.

The window of opportunity to establish a no-fly zone and acknowledge the rebel government slammed shut, even with the UN passing its resolution.  It should have been established two weeks ago when the regime was on its heels and everyone was calling for Gadhafi to go.  But instead, the world waffled.  Gadhafi’s forces regrouped, began to use their superior weapons advantage, and began pushing the rebels back in the west and east.  Now, you only hear of Gadhafi victories.  Even with a no-fly zone in place, it likely doesn’t matter.  Gadhafi will re-take Benghazi within days, and will begin a mass extermination of opposition forces.  No no-fly zone will change that.  And even if a no-fly zone is somewhat successful, it only takes one accidental bombing of civilians to turn opinion around the world against the US. 

And the ICC bringing charges against Gadhafi is hollow.  Gadhafi will remain welcomed by world leaders just like Mugabe and other mass murdering leaders.  The world will soon forget this rebellion, sweep it under the rug, and wash their hands of this situation.  The damage has been done, though, and no matter how many times the UN washes it hands, I can still see blood on them.