As we continue to stumble, mumble, and bumble into war with Libya, there are huge questions about what our objectives are and should be. And those questions have divided the alliance of countries who are engaging in actions against Gaddafi. The Obama Administration has been noticeably vague about what our objectives are. And they are also being noticeably vague about whether US forces operating in the Libyan theatre will be put under foreign command.
French officers in Afghanistan
The Obama Administration appears eager to “hand off” command of operations in Libya to allied governments. The latest report from France is that they a “new political steering committee” will be in charge, not NATO. Who would make up this committee? The Foreign Ministers of several countries. Are you kidding me? Diplomats in charge of strategy? In effect, that means that American combat forces will be under French or British command. This is a horrible idea. Americans enlist in the armed forces because they want to serve under American commanders serving American interest. Their goal is to protect their country. The notion of American soldiers serving under French commanders is ridiculous. They have different objectives, different methods of warfare, and at the end of the day are accountable to their own governments–no ours.
This reflects the broader problem with Obama’s approach to Libya: he feels much more accountable to foreign governments than he does to our elected leaders. How else to explain that he sought the authorization of the United Nations, but not of Congress?
American exceptionalism is real, and it’s real whether you are talking about American civic virtues or martial values. Our military culture is unique and needs to be protected. Having committed us to military action in Libya, President Obama has a sworn obligation to protect our service members. And he can do that best by keeping them under American command.
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