Democracy Arsenal

« The Non-Return of Isolationism | Main | The Libya Intervention: Why Retrospection Is Premature »

July 18, 2011

The Libya Intervention in Retrospect
Posted by David Shorr

5510265191_743e224e93We probably don't have enough intramural debate here at DA, so let me take this opening. Eric aims his critique of the Libya intervention mainly at Shadi. But since I too supported the move, let me say it was for different reasons than the ones Eric hammers in his post. 

He points out that the NATO campaign against Gaddafi has harmed rather than enhanced America's reputation among Arab publics in the region. As a general matter, I view international goodwill toward the United States as an important consideration and concern. For me, this was a decision about how to respond when a brutal dictator threatens wholesale slaughter. I was mindful of comparisons to Milosevic, Mladic, Taylor, Bagasora, and Habyarimana, rather than Mubarak, Ben Ali, Sale, or Assad.

As I argued (and would still argue), it's a question of the outside world's ability to thwart mass indiscriminate killing. An intervention on humanitarian grounds must meet two tests -- threats of the worst forms of abuse, not just any form of repression, and the practicability of an effective response -- and Eric is correct that this makes consistency a difficult thing to achieve. 

But I also posed questions to the opponents of intervention. What would we say about Gadaffi's bloodbath in Benghazi, that it wasn't our business? That it was a Libyan thing, between the tribes? Should the international community (let's not forget that the US hardly acted alone here) opt out of the intervention business?

If Libya isn't a case that meets my two main tests above, then I don't know what is. I don't buy that the cure is always worse than the disease. The confrontation with Gaddafi obviously has yet to fully play out. By my reckoning, though, we're nowhere near a set of unintended consequences that outweights the carnage that would have resulted from a failure to resist Gaddafi.

Photo: PATRICK BAZ/AFP/Getty Images

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451c04d69e2015433d26414970c

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference The Libya Intervention in Retrospect:

Comments

This brand of information is dreadfully inadequate on internet. Pleasant to find the post related to my perceptive standard. Your rationalized and revealing post will be valued.

rather than Mubarak, Ben Ali, Sale, or Assad.

Any chance this will buy the wedge anchor so I can actually buy it while using? Literally! I have no idea what the wedge anchor like to get yet!

In Libya 's western mountains, anti-tank and anti-personnel mines are causing many casualties. I think basically this is centred around some ethnic situations, but more so financially.

hshej ildhes

i agree with your views from here.

Such a good writing, or by I saw for the first time. I'm quite happy, you are a good writer

i agree with your views from here.


Thank you so much ,i am feeling so nice after reading your article!

I will add this blog to my favorites, it is great.

Time waits for no man.

Honesty is the best policy.

Whether it is a customized announcement or more home-made fun and crafty announcement, it's really important that the two of you get involved of this together as it would be the first time your friends and family witness this collaboration.

This brand of information is dreadfully inadequate on internet. Pleasant to find the post related to my perceptive standard. Your rationalized and revealing post will be valued.

I do not tell me to grab the sofa

Thats really usefull information!Thanks!

it's really important that the two of you get involved of this together as it would be the first time your friends and family witness this collaboration.

Any chance this will buy the casting mold so I can actually buy it while using? Literally! I have no idea what the computerized numerical control like to get yet!

Nice effort, very informative, this will help
me to complete my task. Thanks for share it keep it up.

This article is pure genius! Your blog is the first one i bookmarked in a long time.

Your future depends on your dreams.

This article is pure genius! Your blog is the first one i bookmarked in a long time.

I do not tell me to grab the sofa

Your blog is the first one i bookmarked in a long time.
yeah~~~

State television in Libya is reporting that NATO-led airstrike on a bus has killed at least 12 people. The bus has said to have been hit near the town of Kikla around 150 km southwest of Tripoli. There has been no word from NATO.

I’ll be really curious about what you think of the pizzas then! Enjoy and keep me posted.

Love is a master key which opens the gate of happiness.
3

Really impressed! Everything is very, very clear, open is a description of the problem. It contains the information.

The Moment of Truth...

If you want people Cheap Lebron Shoes to leave lots of comments agreeing with you, write a blog post saying that something is too expensive. And if you read the comments to Fred Wilson's

I wonder how you got so good. This is really a fascinating blog, lots of stuff that I can get into. One thing I just want to say is that your Blog is so perfect!

i just want to say somthing

great life !

We always have time enough , if we will but use it aright.
ss

If a man empties his purse into his head , no man can take it away from him , an investment in knowledge always pays the best interest .
2

This artile are amazing. It keeps my feet so warm, sometimes I don't even have to wear any socks with it. Definitely worth the price.

We always have time enough , if we will but use it aright.

But if we are too social, those activities might make us more susceptible to sleep deprivation.If you treat him nicely, he says you are in love with him; If you don't, he says you are proud.I’m sorry, Mrs. Johnson. My game; my turf; my rules.

o sleep deprivation.If you treat him nicely, he says you are in love with him; If you don't, he says you are proud.I’m sorry, Mrs. Johnson.

Maturity is the stage in life when we may not see eye-to-eye, but we can still walk arm-in-arm.
63

Letters are visits when friends are apart.
6

If Libya isn't a case that meets my two main tests above, then I don't know what is.

Just because the US has a democracy, are all Americans happy? If not then how can they say that it is the best thing to happen after sliced bread. This is just a political oneupmanship game played at the cost of innocent lives.. Sad.

thank you for your article,My problem has been resolved.

We always have time enough , if we will but use it aright

Thank you so much ,i am feeling so nice after reading your article!

It is no use to blame the looking glass if your face is awry.
c

It is no use to blame the looking glass if your face is awry.
m

This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post.

From Sunrise and sunset,permanence is the river of time. Back in the million years ago, humans have learned to observe and control the time of the operation of the law. From the corona to the atomic clock, the human mastery of time and measurement methods had changed more and more science, sophisticated. watches replica real development is from the beginning of the 16th century and spread knowledge of science and technology. With the timer design, improvement, manufacture and spread, the clock have being started around our side and along with the progress of human society have being progressed. It not only improve our way of life, but aosl their own is fine art and Priceless. As watch enthusiasts should know that clock follow the time's the tracesin in the footsteps.

ANLY The nomination of the winner depends on the capability and spirit of the personality to finish the race.I like the post very much as it contain informative in knowledge.I like pics of Chelsea shares of the beauty of running in Madison, Wisconsin.I want to congratulate the winner for the nomination race.I want to know suggestion from others.

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along.

The problem with Libya is we really do not know anything about the rebels we are supporting. And we really do not know anything about what the people of Libya wants either.

If we really are there because of humanity and because we want to help the people.

We might as well start a bombing campaign in Syria, Bahrain, and Saudia As well.

The “roles and missions” review going on at Defense right now is set to address this
http://www.adidasf50adizeros.com

If Libya isn't a case that meets my two main tests above, then I don't know what is. I don't buy that the cure is always worse than the Supra Producer Not Just Merely Has Style disease. The confrontation with Gaddafi obviously has yet to fully play out. By my reckoning, though, we're nowhere near a set of unintended consequences that outweights the carnage that would have resulted from a failure to This Way May Employed To Recognize PUMA Clothes resist Gaddafi.

If Libya isn't a case that meets my two main tests above, then I don't know what is.

I will continue to focus on. Never done in the article comments, this is my first network comments, appreciate you sharing.

Hoist your sail when the wind is fair.
d

It is better to give than to receive.
b

I took the time to read all the comments, but I really liked the article. It proved to be very helpful to me, and I believe all the critics here!

Sa pratique soulève le style chic. Les périmètres à l'intérieur des sacs Longchamp Sac
Sac Longchamp Soldesen cuir matériels ont basé bords de sauvegarde ainsi que les poignées sont assez forts. L'extérieur de poche substantielle de taille est en fait la conception sensible. Le mélange chic de design et de style et de fonctionnalités est préférable meilleure qualité supérieure fournis par bagages Longchamp goods.Longchamp bagagerie est à votre style Sac Longchamp Pas Cher
Sac Longchamp Le Pliageapproprié, la tendance aujourd'hui mais le profit de ces sacs sont beaucoup plus co?teux que n'importe quelle marque personnalisée.

I have never read such a wonderful article and I am coming back tomorrow to continue reading.

Yes, you have mentioned the reality about Libya. A very interesting article.

The team failed tosign Plaxico Burress(notes), who ended up with the Jets.

Looks great feeling.

Thanks for all of the hard work on this web site. I admit, I have not been on this website in a long time, however it was joy to find it again. It is such an important topic and ignored by so many, even professionals! I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin.

And perhaps the most important question, which both authors edge right up to but do not quite address: Is it possible to imagine a defense sector that operated differently? And, if so, what would be the policy steps to move toward creating it? Do other countries with technologically advanced weapons industries and militaries succeed in managing this process better?

This is a great one..nice article, thanks for share with us… I learn a lot with your words.. thank for the post.

The ability to dream big and then the common sense to put into place the things necessary to achieve your dream are two traits that I think are necessary for success. It’s also a great idea to keep a journal of your ideas. Reading the journal on those difficult and occasional down days may help to keep you focused and motivated.

At least when you're lashing out petulantly at one foreign government (at a time, that is), you're arguably targeting a single stand-alone actor. By comparison, to aim your payback at a multilateral body is the closest thing to taking your bat and ball and going home. You're frustrated that deliberations among a bunch of countries haven't gone your way, and so phooey on the whole thing. It's an inversion on what Groucho Marx used to say about belonging to clubs; by the Republicans' reasoning, the United States shouldn't take part in any association that doesn't comply with our every wish.

Nice post! I have read it carefully and I'm like it very much. Thank you for your post it out for us!

I have read it carefully and I'm like it very much.

I have read it carefully and I'm like it very much. Thank you for your post it out for us!

good,they almost matching with the description.

And look forward to reading more here, really interesting times. Thank you again for all the details.

An excellent blog! I like it. But the meaning of the last paragraph a bit puzzled. It’s always good to have passions in life to keep yourself from going down the negative path and work towards staying positive. I really enjoyed this. You can look your article comments. This information has really been helpful for most of the readers. I really appreciate the way you have written about this. I will really like to read more

We can live without a brother, but not without a friend.
k

Admonish your friends in private, praise them in public.
o

Action is the foundational key to all success.chong

There is shame in not trying but there is regret if nothing is done about it. I am totally for Team America.

An excellent blog! I like it. But the meaning of the last paragraph a bit puzzled. It’s always good to have passions in life to keep yourself from going down the negative path and work towards staying positive. I really enjoyed this. You can look your article comments. This information has really been helpful for most of the readers. I really appreciate the way you have written about this. I will really like to read more

From my point of view violence is not only way to protest. There are so many ways to protest and they have to think on it.

It enables you to hear God speaking to your heart reminding you of His perfect love for you. HH

Hello I just wanted to leave a comment to say that I enjoy your blog. Looking at the number of comments, I see others feel the same way! Keep up the good work Silver Price Per Gram CQM

I think this article is one of the best article I have ever read.

I feel fresh and I'm the lightest I have ever been and I'm just ready to play.''The Titans may have to make a roster move to give Johnson some help.

We have gotten many great comments from our customers and earn a good reputation in foreign makerts, more than 90% customers are satisfied with our products and service, till now our online members are beyond 80,000. As of right now, we Replica Handbags currently serve customers from over 18 countries, and we are still growing. We really hope to expand our business through cooperation with individuals and companies from around the world.

I think about myself personally a lucky person mainly because I am amongst those that came to know about this web site. This site delivers wonderful information that really help people and I hope I may make an effort to convey the message of this website.

We customarily have time adequate , if we will but use it aright. (Johan Wolfgang von Goethe , German bard )

I came to know about this blog as a result of google. I am quite happy that I stumbled upon this site because it provides some great information and facts which supports myself which is extremely helpful for most reasons.

A gloved hamster catches no mice.

Every person loves their own nation...sometimes to their own peril.

Congratulations to you and to Oren. Sounds like an ideal match; cant' wait to see what comes of it!

Reporting from kabul, Afghanistan— Afghan authorities on Wednesday morning said the last of six attackers who laid siege to the U.S. Embassy and other buildings from a high-rise structure had been killed and the area was secure.

She said the show will also star a chorus of singing TV actors who will introduce the award categories. They might melodically move the show along, too."If any of our winners go long, they'll be gently singing them off," promised Lynch.Inside the Nokia Theatre, the sweeping set was coming together. On one side of the stage, an enormous Emmy statue was showered in glittering charms. On the other side, a raised platform was surrounded by multiple screens. At the center was a voluminous circular screen doubling as an entryway.

The article in your blog reminds me some old memory .That is good .It gives me happy .I think we will have a harmonious talk.Do you agree?

The nice thing about standards is, there are so many to choose from.

You turned around the school, your father have cried.I must say that this is a very good post.

Post a comment

If you have a TypeKey or TypePad account, please Sign In.

Guest Contributors
Founder
Subscribe
Sign-up to receive a weekly digest of the latest posts from Democracy Arsenal.
Email: 
Powered by TypePad

Disclaimer

The opinions voiced on Democracy Arsenal are those of the individual authors and do not represent the views of any other organization or institution with which any author may be affiliated.
Read Terms of Use