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akv · 03-07-2011, 12:20

Richard,

A good read, though I am no fan of the current milquetoast US administration, at the risk of being a cynic, is it possible in the cold world of geopolitics it is better for US interests that Gaddafi stay in power? We can pay lip service to the sufferings of the Libyan people, but if this was Saudi or someplace we truly cared about there would have been US boots on the ground weeks ago.

Gaddafi is a devil, but the devil we know, he chirps, he does bad things, but at his age and energy level he seems more interested in his Ukranian nurse, than Islamism. He reinvented himself as African since the Arabs don't take him seriously, and lest we forget he has been cozying up Libyan oil to the West the past decade. On the other hand if he is replaced by some young charismatic Islamist firebrand, this could lead to much bigger problems for US interests.

My knowledge of Libyan military capability is slight, and limited to brief readings, however it is a country of 6.5 million people 90% of whom reside in 3 cities along the coast, with a relatively small military and aging Soviet equipment, who got smacked by Chad in the Toyota War. Given US military capabilities, it doesn't seem we want change in Libya, how can the rebels win without logistic resupply?

03-07-2011, 12:20	#3
akv Area Commander Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA-Germany Posts: 1,574	What are US Interests in Libya? Richard, A good read, though I am no fan of the current milquetoast US administration, at the risk of being a cynic, is it possible in the cold world of geopolitics it is better for US interests that Gaddafi stay in power? We can pay lip service to the sufferings of the Libyan people, but if this was Saudi or someplace we truly cared about there would have been US boots on the ground weeks ago. Gaddafi is a devil, but the devil we know, he chirps, he does bad things, but at his age and energy level he seems more interested in his Ukranian nurse, than Islamism. He reinvented himself as African since the Arabs don't take him seriously, and lest we forget he has been cozying up Libyan oil to the West the past decade. On the other hand if he is replaced by some young charismatic Islamist firebrand, this could lead to much bigger problems for US interests. My knowledge of Libyan military capability is slight, and limited to brief readings, however it is a country of 6.5 million people 90% of whom reside in 3 cities along the coast, with a relatively small military and aging Soviet equipment, who got smacked by Chad in the Toyota War. Given US military capabilities, it doesn't seem we want change in Libya, how can the rebels win without logistic resupply? __________________ "Men Wanted: for Hazardous Journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.” -Sir Ernest Shackleton “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” –Greek proverb
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