Condoleezza Rice

Qaddafi Wrote Song For Rice: 'Black Flower in the White House'

Susan Crabtree | October 26, 2011, 10:35AM

In what may well be the most awkward personal moment in U.S. diplomatic history, in her new memoir Condoleezza Rice recalls a creepy 2008 meeting with then-Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi that ended with Qaddafi showing her photos of herself he had collected and a serenade of a song he had a famous Libyan composer write for her.

Rice's reaction? Run away, run away!!

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Peter Welch

Dem Rep. Peter Welch To Obama: Libya Should Pay U.S. Back

David Taintor | October 24, 2011, 1:00PM

Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) wants Libya to pay the U.S. back.

In a letter to President Obama released Saturday, Welch wrote, "We believe it is essential that Libya reimburse the American taxpayer for the cost of our participation in the NATO mission."

Welch told TPM that repaying the U.S. would be a great way for Libya to build self-confdience and really "own their success," adding that the oil-rich country has the financial resources to do so.

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Barack Obama

White House To GOP Critics On Libya: We Were Right

Susan Crabtree | October 20, 2011, 7:25PM

The White House is brushing aside criticism -- from the GOP presidential field and others -- that Obama doesn't deserve credit for the death of ousted Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi.

In a lengthy press briefing after President Obama heralded Qaddafi's death and publicly congratulated the Libyan people for winning their revolution, White House spokesman Jay Carney was asked whether the President felt validated by Qaddafi's killing and the conclusion of the Libyan civil war.

"Well, I think I've made clear that we believe that the President made the right decisions to work with our allies, to work with NATO, to work with the United Nations, not to do something on the cheap but because it was the right policy answer to the situation that presented itself, taking a long-term view about what outcome do you want in Libya," Carney said.

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Barack Obama

Obama On Qaddafi: 'The Dark Shadow Of Tyranny' Has Lifted

Susan Crabtree | October 20, 2011, 3:27PM

President Barack Obama

President Obama took a moment to herald the death of longtime Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi and mark a turning point for the Libyan people, their relentless pursuit of freedom and their country's democratic future.

Speaking in a live address from the White House Rose Garden Thursday afternoon, Obama welcomed the lifting of "the dark shadow of tyranny" from Libya.

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Barack Obama

Obama: 'The Dark Shadow' Has Lifted

October 20, 2011, 2:20PM

Speaking in a live address from the White House Rose Garden, President Obama welcomed the lifting of "the dark shadow of tyranny" from Libya.

After hours of reports about the death of Libya's ousted leader, the President announced that "today we can definitively say the Qaddafi regime has come to an end."

"One of the world's longest-serving dictators is no more," he continued.

Obama said America had achieved its objectives, and soon the NATO mission would "come to an end."

However, he said American engagement would continue as the country transitioned towards "its first free elections." He said establishing a democracy would be "the ultimate rebuke" to Qaddafi.

Obama also sounded a note of warning for other intransigent Arab despots such as Syria's Bashar al-Assad and Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh, both of whom are presiding over brutal crackdowns on "Arab Spring" crowds.

"The rule of an iron fist inevitably comes to an end," Obama warned. "Those leaders who try to deny [their peoples] their dignity will not succeed."

International Criminal Court

If Qaddafi Is Captured, Where Should He Be Tried?

Thomas Lane | August 24, 2011, 6:20AM

At the time of writing, the three Libyans indicted by the International Criminal Court for "crimes against humanity" are still all on the run.

First, the rumors that rebel forces had captured Muammar Qaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, turned out to be rather dramatically false.

Then, when the rebels broke into Qaddafi's Tripoli-based compound, the whole affair basically turned into a giant version of the time Geraldo Rivera opened Al Capone's vault.

Meanwhile, the lesser-known Abdullah Senusi, the regime's intelligence chief and Qaddafi's brother in law, is also showing Macavity-like tendencies.

However, there's a strong sense that it's only a matter of time till they wind up in rebel hands. And once they do, what happens to them could set the tone for the new Libyan government's dealings with international bodies.

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Muammar Qaddafi

Obama Calls On Qaddafi To End The Bloodshed, Give Himself Up

Susan Crabtree | August 22, 2011, 2:02PM

President Barack Obama (D)

President Obama called on Libyan Leader Muammar Qaddafi to end the bloodshed and give himself up amid reports that fighters for the regime are mounting a last-ditch defense of their swiftly shrinking control of Tripoli.

In an audio statement released Monday afternoon, Obama said Qaddafi has the "opportunity to reduce further bloodshed" by surrendering to NATO-backed opposition forces.

"Although it is clear that Gadhafi's rule is over, he still has the opportunity to reduce further bloodshed by explicitly relinquishing power to the people of Libya and calling for those forces that continue to fight to lay down their arms for the sake of Libya," Obama said.

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Libya

McCain And Graham Say US Should Have Pushed Harder For Fall Of Qaddafi

Thomas Lane | August 22, 2011, 9:42AM

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Senator John McCain (R-AZ)

Since the beginning of the Libyan conflict, Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) have been on the side of the hawks. They kept that stance Sunday night, issuing a joint statement that celebrated "the end of the Qaddafi regime" but bemoaning how long it took.

It's useful to recall the background to this conflict. After much diplomatic wrangling to win a UN resolution authorizing air strikes for the "protection of civilians," NATO forces including the US began military operations on March 19, 2011. Just over five months later the 42 year-long rule of Qaddafi is basically at an end.

But that wasn't enough for McCain and Graham. From their statement:

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International Criminal Court

Qaddafi's Deeply Dodgy 'Get Out Of Jail Free' Card

Thomas Lane | August 19, 2011, 6:00AM

Now that Libya's rebels are declaring they will capture Tripoli by the end of August, the country's long-time leader, Muammar Qaddafi, must be pondering his future.

There are whispers and rumors that he may be preparing to flee to Tunisia, but the problem he faces there is that the country is about to become a member of the International Criminal Court. That's the same International Criminal Court that has filed warrants against him and his son, Saif al-Islam, and obliges its members to arrest them should they cross their borders.

As such, Qaddafi's mind may be turning to the rebels' earlier offer: that he could cede power and live out the rest of his days in Libya.

But there's a hitch: those same ICC warrants also make it hard for him to stay in his home country. If the rebels formally take control of Libya then they will be obliged to turn him over to the court.

Technically there's only one way out, and it's deeply unsatisfactory for all concerned.

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Muammar Qaddafi

Where Can Qaddafi Go If He Decides To Flee Libya?

Thomas Lane | July 5, 2011, 5:45AM

Muammar Qaddafi addressed the general debate of the sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly on September 23, 2009.

The proverbial noose seems to be tightening around the neck of Libyan despot Muammar al-Qaddafi.

Turkey is the latest nation to recognize Libya's rebel movement as the country's legitimate representatives. Since Turkey had at one point tried to set itself up as a potential honest broker between the two sides, this closes down yet another avenue for Qaddafi.

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Barack Obama

Obama: 'Fuss' Over Libya Is Pure Politics

Susan Crabtree | June 29, 2011, 11:18AM

President Barack Obama

President Obama is standing behind his decision to authorize military action in Libya, dismissing months of furor over his failure to win Congressional approval before launching strikes as pure politics.

"...A lot of this fuss is politics, and if you look substantively at what we've done, we've done exactly what we'd said we'd do under a NATO mandate," Obama said at a press conference in the East Room of the White House Wednesday morning.

"But do I think our actions in any way violate the war powers resolution? The answer is no," he said. "We have engaged in a limited operation to help a lot of people against one of the worst tyrants in the world...and we should be sending out a unified message to this guy that he should step down."

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Libya

House Votes Against Authorizing Obama's Libya War

Susan Crabtree | June 24, 2011, 11:53AM

The House has overwhelmingly voted down a bill that would have authorized U.S. military action in Libya after months of bipartisan outrage over President Obama's decision to launch military strikes in the North African country without the approval of Congress.

The vote, 295 to 123, did not break along traditional party lines. A majority of Republicans concerned about budget constraints and more generally diametrically opposed to Obama's agenda voted against the measure banding together with anti-war Democrats. Just eight Republicans voted for authorizing the Libya oepration: Reps. Charlie Dent (PA), David Dreier (CA), Steve King (IA), Peter King (NY), Thaddeus McCotter (MI), David Rivera (FL) and Mike Rogers (MI).

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Libya

What To Expect Today On House Votes On Libya

Susan Crabtree | June 24, 2011, 10:55AM

The House is set to vote today on a bill that would severely limit funding for U.S. military action in Libya, what would amount to a bipartisan rebuke of a sitting president's decision to authorize military strikes in the North African country without the approval of Congress. Votes are expected anytime from noon to late afternoon.

Republican leaders, who control the House floor, are allowing two key votes on the Libya today. The defunding measure is being offered by Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL) and would cut off funds for airstrikes or any other combat but would allow the U.S. to serve in a supporting role to the now-NATO-led operation, which would include air refueling, intelligence and search-and-rescue operations.

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Libya

McCain: Tying Obama's Hands On Libya Will Come Back To Haunt GOP

Susan Crabtree | June 21, 2011, 12:17PM

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) pleaded with GOP colleagues Tuesday not to tie President Obama's hands when it comes to U.S. military action in Libya, reminding them it could come back to haunt future Republican presidents.

"We are all entitled to our opinions about Libya policy, but here are the facts: [Libyan leader Muammar] Qaddafi is going to fall. It is just a matter of time. So I would ask my colleagues: Is this the time for Congress to turn against this policy?" he said in a lengthy statement on the Senate floor. "Is this the time to ride to the rescue of a failing tyrant when the writing is on the wall that he will collapse?"

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Libya

Former Rep. Cynthia McKinney Appears On Libyan State TV (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | May 23, 2011, 4:49PM

Former Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA, now a Green Party member) on Libyan state television.

The regime of Muammar Qaddafi in Libya received a boost from a special guest over the weekend, in its television propaganda against the country's rebels and the NATO force opposing the government: Former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.

CNN reports:

The station is fiercely loyal to Moammar Gadhafi and her interview was spliced with what appeared to be rallies in support of the embattled Libyan leader.

...

"I want to say categorically and very clearly that these policies of war ... are not what the people of the United States stand for and it's not what African-Americans stand for," she told state TV.

The former Georgia representative also slammed the economic policies of U.S. President Barack Obama and said the government of the United States no longer represents the interests of the American people.

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Osama Bin Laden

U.S. Officials Interviewed OBL's Wives, White House Confirms

Susan Crabtree | May 13, 2011, 2:45PM

Osama Bin Laden

The White House confirmed Friday that Pakistan has allowed U.S. officials to interview three of Osama bin Laden's wives, all of whom were living with him at his Abbottabad compound before a Navy SEAL team stormed it and killed bin Laden nearly two weeks ago.

In the aftermath of the U.S. raid on the hideaway, U.S. lawmakers and officials have accused at least some elements of the Pakistani government of helping harbor bin Laden and have been watching Pakistan's reaction to his killing closely. The wives, one of whom was injured during the raid, were taken into custody by Pakistani security forces after the SEALs left the compound.

White House spokesman Jay Carney was tight-lipped about the interrogation aside from confirming that it had occurred. He would not say who questioned the women or whether they cooperated.

"I can't characterize the interaction except to say that we have had access," Carney said, "And we obviously appreciate the cooperation we've received from the Pakistani government."

The White House and the Pentagon have not said exactly when this week U.S. officials questioned the wives. The Pakistani Taliban on Friday took credit for twin suicide bombings that killed at least 80 people outside a paramilitary training center in Shabqadar, Pakistan earlier in the day. A Taliban spokesman said the explosions were in retaliation for the killing of bin Laden.

Carney said the U.S. government remains in a "state of high vigilance" since the raid.

"We take very seriously the fact that while al Qaeda is weakened, it is not dead," Carney said.

President Obama plans to deliver a major speech on the events in the Middle East and North Africa and U.S. Policy in the region Thursday at the State Department.

From Carney's descriptions, the speech will be "fairly sweeping and comprehensive" focused on the democratic uprisings in the region that have taken place since January and how the U.S. has responded to the upheaval.

"[The President] has always viewed the future of the region through the prism of democratization and the yearning of the people...in the region for greater political freedom, participation in their government, desire for responsive governments that address their grievances," Carney said. "I'm sure he will call as he has in the past on the governments in the region to respond to those demands through peaceful political dialogue."

Obama plans to focus on the irony he sees in some leaders' violent crackdowns in the name of stability when those brutal actions are only leading to great instability in the country and the region, Carney told reporters.

At one point during the press briefing, Carney was asked whether he had information about Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi's whereabouts and reports that he was no longer in Tripoli and is likely injured.

"Nothing I can share," Carney replied.

Libya

Obama Sends $25 Million To Libyan Rebels

Susan Crabtree | April 27, 2011, 9:01AM

President Barack Obama formally ordered up to $25 million in urgent -- but non-military -- aid for Libyan rebels fighting Muammar Qaddafi as a fears of a open-ended stalemate escalated.

Obama granted the funds to Libya's Transitional National Council in a memo from the President to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton early Tuesday evening.

Syria

U.S. Considering Targeted Syria Sanctions

Susan Crabtree | April 25, 2011, 2:27PM

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

The Obama administration is weighing targeted sanctions against Syrian President Bashar Assad and his regime for their increasingly violent backlash against anti-government protesters.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Monday that targeted sanctions is one way to turn up the heat on Assad and convince him to allow protesters to air their grievances against the government without fearing for their lives.

"We are considering targeted sanctions to respond to the crackdown in Syria," Carney told reporters at a Monday briefing as the administration stepped up its denunciations of the Syrian government. "We're looking at other means to increase the pressure on Syria in a meaningful way."

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Barack Obama

State Department Signed Off On McCain's Libya Trip

Susan Crabtree | April 22, 2011, 3:50PM

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

The U.S. State Department signed off on and supports Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) Friday trip to Libya where he met with rebel forces engaged in a fierce battle with Muammar Qaddafi over control of the country.

"We were aware that Sen. McCain would be making the trip and State supported the codel," White House spokesman Jay Carney told TPM in an e-mail Friday afternoon.

When asked whether McCain was there as an official emissary for the State Department or White House, Carney told reporters earlier only: "No. No that I'm aware of."

An early proponent of U.S. military strikes in Libya, McCain arrived in the country Friday just hours before Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. military's joint chiefs of staff, publicly warned that the conflict was moving into a stalemate as Qaddafi's troops pressed on in an attempt to take back the rebel-controlled areas in Misrata.

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Libya

Americans Rapidly Turn Against Obama Over Handling Of Libyan Intervention

Jon Terbush | April 21, 2011, 11:56AM

The percentage of Americans who disapprove of how President Obama has handled the Libyan military intervention has risen 15 points in the past month, as people remain confused about what the nation's goals are in that country, according to two new polls.

President Obama never earned particularly strong public support for his decision to join an international coalition in enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya; barely half of Americans initially supported that decision. But in the past month, as the campaign has dragged on and Gaddafi has remained in power, the support Obama did have has quickly eroded.

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Barack Obama

Poll: Almost Six In Ten Say U.S. Has No Clear Goal In Libya

Jon Terbush | April 5, 2011, 6:03PM

According to a Pew poll released Tuesday, 57% of Americans don't think the U.S. has a clear plan in Libya, a seven-point rise since last week, and one that comes after President Obama addressed the country to lay out the nation's involvement and goals there.

Additionally, only 30% of adult Americans said the U.S. has a clear goal with the campaign in Libya.

Last Monday -- two weeks after American and allied forces began launching airstrikes on Muammar Qaddafi's military installations -- Obama delivered a prime time address to the nation laying out his reasons for joining the mission, and detailing what America's involvement would be going forward.

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Libya

Senate Hawks Berate Gates Over Handoff Of Libya To NATO

Susan Crabtree | March 31, 2011, 5:46PM

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Defense Secretary Robert Gates endured nearly six hours of grilling from Congress Thursday, with the most combative questioning coming from -- surprisingly -- Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and a group of Senate hawks on the Armed Services Committee who support military intervention in Libya.

McCain expressed grave disappointment about the decision to have the U.S. military forces step aside and allow NATO to take control before Muammar Qaddafi has been toppled from power.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) asked why the U.S. couldn't simply bomb Qaddafi like President Reagan tried to do in 1986 when he sent cruise missiles into the Libyan leader's palace, killing one of his daughters, and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said rebel setbacks over the last two days have been "unsettling."

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War Powers Act

Angry Lawmakers Grill Gates On Libya And War Powers Act

Susan Crabtree | March 31, 2011, 1:52PM

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, got a browbeating from Congress today over the White House's decision to ignore Congress and forge ahead with air strikes aimed at ousting Libyan Leader Muammar Qaddafi and supporting rebel forces.

Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, Gates defended the administration's decision to intervene and retooled earlier comments that the U.S. didn't have a vital interest in the North African country after a rash of criticism.

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CIA

White House: Obama Has Yet To Decide Whether To Arm Libyan Rebels

Susan Crabtree | March 30, 2011, 6:46PM

President Barack Obama

Amid reports that President Obama had signed a secret order authorizing covert support for Libyan rebels, the White House issued a sweeping statement Wednesday evening saying the President has made no decision about supplying arms to the opposition.

White House spokesman Jay Carney first said he would not comment on intelligence matters, but went on to reiterate Obama's recent assertions that he had yet to decide whether to provide arms to the opposition or "to any group in Libya."

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Hillary Clinton

Clinton To Congress: Obama Would Ignore Your War Resolutions

Susan Crabtree | March 30, 2011, 4:44PM

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Update: Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), who asked Clinton about the War Powers Act during a classified briefing, said Clinton and the administration are sidestepping the measure's provisions giving Congress the ability to put a 60-day time limit on any military action.

"They are not committed to following the important part of the War Powers Act," he told TPM in a phone interview. "She said they are certainly willing to send reports [to us] and if they issue a press release, they'll send that to us too."

The White House would forge ahead with military action in Libya even if Congress passed a resolution constraining the mission, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said during a classified briefing to House members Wednesday afternoon.

Clinton was responding to a question from Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) about the administration's response to any effort by Congress to exercise its war powers, according to a senior Republican lawmaker who attended the briefing.

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Libya

Poll: Plurality Oppose Libyan Intervention, But Support Protecting Civilians

Jon Terbush | March 30, 2011, 9:19AM

A plurality of Americans oppose the nation's military involvement in Libya, according to a Quinninpiac poll released this morning. But at the same time, majorities support both protecting Libyan civilians from Muammar Qaddafi's troops, and using cruise missiles to destroy Qaddafi's anti-air installations.

In the poll, 47% of adult Americans said the U.S. was doing the wrong thing by fighting in Libya, compared to 41% who said the U.S. was doing the right thing.

But respondents did support destroying Libya's air defenses with cruise missiles -- by a 53%-35% margin. Furthermore, 65% of Americans said the U.S. should "use military force to protect civilians from Gadhafi."

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Libya

Senate Dems to Delay War Powers Resolutions Until After Briefing

Susan Crabtree | March 29, 2011, 5:41PM

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has asked his caucus to postpone any Libya resolutions until after they receive a classified briefing Tuesday evening.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are scheduled to brief senators Wednesday night. Afterward, Reid said, all bets are off and Democrats can offer any type of War Powers Resolution they want.

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Libya

GOP Senator: Are There Al Qaeda Elements Among Libyan Rebels?

Susan Crabtree | March 29, 2011, 12:07PM

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK)

Update: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton downplayed the likelihood of an al Qaeda contingency among the Libyan rebels, but she acknowledged "we are still getting to know those who are leading the transitional national council."

Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) wants to know much more about the Libyan rebels the U.S. and NATO allies have been aiding with air strikes and humanitarian assistance for more than a week.

"There have been several reports about the presence of al Qaeda among the rebels," Inhofe said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday. "What do we know about this?"

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Libya

Obama: 'I Refused' To Let A Massacre Happen In Libya

Susan Crabtree | March 28, 2011, 8:47PM

President Barack Obama

President Obama delivered a clear and determined defense of his decision to authorize U.S. military-led air strikes in Libya, stressing that he could not allow an impending massacre in the country to occur but would not use military might to topple Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi from power.

The speech, delivered Monday night, was cloaked in broad statements about American values and U.S. responsibilities to support democratic movements against brutal and repressive regimes.

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Libya

Poll: 50% Say U.S. Has No Clear Plan In Libya

Jon Terbush | March 28, 2011, 5:21PM

President Barack Obama

With President Obama set to address the nation tonight about the country's military engagement in Libya, a Pew poll released today finds that half of Americans say the U.S. does not have a clear goal there.

In the poll of adult Americans, 50% of respondents said they do not believe that U.S. and allied forces have a clear goal with their mission in Libya, versus 39% who said there is a clear goal.

At the same time, the poll found that 47% of Americans think the decision to enforce a no-fly zone was a good idea, while 36% said it was a bad idea.

The U.S. and allied forces have been launching air and missile attacks on Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi's military installments since March 19, one day after the U.N. Security Council approved a no-fly resolution over the country. Critics have argued that President Obama has not adequately explained what the U.S hopes to achieve by joining the assault, whether the goal is to protect civilians, or perhaps to oust Qaddafi.

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'Obama's Wars'

Obama Doctrine Emerges: International Support Critical To Military Missions

Susan Crabtree | March 27, 2011, 9:38AM

After weeks of withering criticism of the White House's delayed response in Libya, as well as his decision to authorize air strikes, President Obama is beginning to articulate his philosophy for the use of military force overseas.

The President plans to lay out the strategy behind his foreign policy decisions in Libya in a prime-time address to the nation Monday night at 7:30 ET, something his critics say he should have done before missile launches began in the North African country last Friday.

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Syria

White House Sidesteps Questions About Whether Syrian Leader Should Go

Susan Crabtree | March 25, 2011, 4:03PM

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

The White House is strongly condemning the Syrian government's attacks on its citizen-protesters with similar language it used against Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi in the weeks and days leading up to U.S. air strikes in the North African country.

Noticeably absent from the denouncement, however, is any broad statement from President Obama or his staff that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has lost his "legitimacy" and must step down or be removed from power.

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Libya

Pentagon: U.S. Working Hard to Turn Over Lead In Libya

Susan Crabtree | March 24, 2011, 5:47PM

Libyan Leader Muammar Qaddafi

The United States is doing everything it can to hand over leadership of the coalition air strikes and policing of the no-fly zone over Libya to allies as early as this weekend but will continue flying combat missions afterward.

U.S. Vice Admiral Bill Gortney, director of the military's Joint Staff, told reporters Thursday that the U.S. role will be largely a supportive one focused on refueling efforts and reconnaissance, but he also conceded the U.S. would continue flying a limited number of strike missions.

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John Boehner

Boehner To Obama: Please Provide Clear Answers on Libya

Susan Crabtree | March 23, 2011, 7:22PM

Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) is demanding detailed answers from President Obama on the scope and objective of U.S. military action in Libya and his plans for removing Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi from power if he does not voluntarily step down in the next few days.

In a letter (read it here) to the White House sent Wednesday afternoon, Boehner asks Obama to outline the "scope, objective and purpose of the mission in Libya and how it will be achieved."

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Libya

Senior Senate Dems Defend Obama's Decisions on Libya

Susan Crabtree | March 23, 2011, 3:36PM

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)

Three senior Senate Demorats are coming to President Obama's defense on his decision to seek international support before directing air strikes against Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi.

Sen. Dick Durbin (IL), the assistant majority leader, Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (MI) and Sen. Jack Reed (RI), a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, gave the President a collective pat on the back for his diplomatic and military decisions on Libya in the last week in the face of harsh criticism from both sides of the aisle that Obama's handling of the Libyan crisis was too little too late and did not seek congressional approval for the military action.

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Libya

Libya Talk Turns To Limited Boots On The Ground

Susan Crabtree | March 23, 2011, 1:37AM

Conservative advocates for greater U.S. intervention in Libya are beginning to call for a limited number of boots on the ground to help rebel forces coordinate and target their attacks against Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi.

Max Boot, a longtime proponent of the use of military force to promote U.S. ideals around the world, is calling on President Obama to send special forces teams into Libya to work with the opposition leaders to coordinate their attacks on the ground with NATO airstrikes.

Boot was quick to say he wasn't pushing a foreign occupation on the ground, which would directly violate the United Nations Security Council resolution passed Thursday giving the U.S., Britain and France the authority to use all necessary force to avert a humanitarian crisis.

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