Obama admits he is after regime change in Libya

US President Barack Obama and British Prime Mi...Image via Wikipedia
NY Times:

President Obama has subtly shifted Washington’s public explanation of its goals in Libya, declaring now that he wants to assure the Libyan people are “finally free of 40 years of tyranny” at the hands of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, after first stating he wanted to protect civilians from massacres.

But if toppling Colonel Qaddafi is now the more explicit goal, Mr. Obama’s European trip this week has highlighted significant tensions over how much time the NATO allies have to finish a job that is now in its third month.

Mr. Obama has urged strategic patience, expressing confidence that over time the combination of bombing, sanctions and import cutoffs will force Colonel Qaddafi from power. “Time is working against Qaddafi,” Mr. Obama said on Wednesday at a news conference in London with Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain.

...
It is taking longer than it should because NATO and teh US have used inadequate force. To rapidly overthrow a regime you need a combined arms attack. That means ground troops, Armored vehicles Attack helicopters and airstrike. Without all four you are lack and orchestra with only 25 percent of its instruments. It also drags out the war and increases the casualties on both sides.

While in Libya the rebels have some force, they could not begin to match the hardened warriors of the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan that helped the US over throw the Taliban. And they could not have done without the assistance of US special forces troops to help target Taliban unit.

I suspect Obama planned for regime change all along, but was afraid to say so for political reasons. I think he is finally being honest about his intentions.
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