Shrugging off the hysterics of his domestic critics, President Obama conducted a masterful demonstration of diplomacy and statesmanship in defining roles and responsibilities for the prosecution of the Libyan mission. Since the Brits and the French played a significant role in resurrecting this monster it is only fitting they take the lead in putting him down. In his now trademark method of handling critics in a crisis, this President coolly and calmly considered a logical course of action and proceeded to implement the proper policies and processes to reach the desired outcome. Bravo Sir, Bravo!
But now that a no fly/drive zone is to be established and the international community has the authority to do whatever it takes to safeguard civilians from further hostilities, what is the next steps of bringing Col. Kaddafi to justice. Can he be allowed to quietly hide behind a ceasefire agreement? After he is grounded, are we going to simply send him to his room for a while? Can he be allowed to live to fight another day? How will Kaddafi be captured, brought before the International Criminal Court, tried and punished? These are the important "what next" questions to be answered.
Since we are treading in uncharted waters, this Libyan mission can serve as a model for dealing with the next deranged dictator who refuses to acknowledge the will of its people. If autocrats know that the world has settled on and willing to defend a set of universal rights every nation must afford its citizens, they will start reforming their methods of governance before the world has to come knocking on their doors. With swift action in the UN and regional support for intervention, despots around the globe will realize the day of ruling by an iron fist is history.
If the United States is smart, they will seize this unique opportunity to redefine its self as a lead coordinator of events as opposed to the lead participant.
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