 |
Enough Braying
Prior to President Obama's address justifying a U.S.-European coalition in Libya Monday evening, leaders from around the world have sounded off in both support and condemnation of the intervention. In Russia, for example, Prime Minister Putin criticized it heavily as a medieval campaign. Why, then, did Russia abstain from the U.N. Security Council resolution that authorized the no-fly zone, rather than use its veto? Sometimes, the words of political leaders require complete interpretation beyond face value. In Russia's case, abstention was a calculated move to facilitate intervention. The subsequent instability could eliminate Libya as an oil & gas alternative, thus giving Moscow greater market share - and greater control - in Europe.
|
