No Fly

It sounds so peaceful – quiet airspace, like the day after 9 – 11.

The United States and its Western allies launched air strikes against Libya, says the news.

I haven`t been able to find the complete UN resolution, but the BBC has an analysis.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12782972  Nowhere that I can see does it specifically mention air strikes, but it does speak about protecting civilians and bans flights in the airspace.  Certain countries have interpreted the resolution in their own way.

Of course, what has been happening in Libya is horrible, but what we should do about it is not simple.  All I have are questions.

In the movies, missiles hit their targets, unless they are shot at the good guys; in real life armaments are not so infallible.  What happens when the first missiles miss the intended target and hit civilians?  And what if a Libyan plane is shot down – where will it crash?

Oh no, explain our leaders, this is nothing like Afghanistan or Iraq, we aren’t sending ground troops.

What happens at the next G8 meeting when police start beating up protesters?  Will the United Nations take a hand and will other countries consider stepping in?

It doesn`t seem likely that Gadhafi will step down in Libya, so how long will the airstrikes last?   The BBC website I mentioned above says that military experts believe ``the air force is not the decisive element in his (Gadhafi`s) armory.``  So what real difference will the no-fly zone make to the rebels.

On the other hand, there seem to be people who support Gadhafi in his own country, so what do we hope to achieve?  ``Protect a threatened people``?  How will these airstrikes do that when the rebels are still being attacked on the ground?  How far are the ``allies`` willing to go?  I don`t know what the answers are to any of the questions, but none of what is happening right now appears right to me.

Suppose I`m wrong and perhaps Gadhafi is killed as are his main leaders.  Perhaps the rebels can take over the government.  Will it be a peaceful takeover, or will chaos result?  They will need all kinds of help setting up another ``western`` approved state.

 Al Jazeera English, says on its website, ``the overzealousness of certain Western powers like Britain, France, and as of late, the US, to interpret the resolution as an open-ended use of force is worrisome.``

Oxfam`s web site says, ``If military action is taken by the international community on the basis of the UNSC resolution, it is essential that this is designed and implemented in a way that maximizes the protection of civilians.``  When has any military action ever really done that?