So, what you are saying, if I understand right, is that only the President could give the orders that would allow US military forces to cross the border, or go into, Libya. Biden, Panetta, Dempsey and Ham could all talk about it, but only Obama could actually say that American military forces could go into Libya. Is that right? I realize that you are writing for professionals and journalists, but a lot of people here don’t have your experience with military and clandestine matters and need perhaps a simpler explanation.
Exactly right. See #3 and read the PJ Media article that I wrote.
There may have been standing orders or ROE permitting unarmed Predators to enter Libyan air space as part of their search for weapons.
If so, stretching the terms of those “weapons searching” Predators would allow the military in Europe to get them moving over Libya without a new POTUS order. Ditto if they were already “in country” in Libya.
But to send ANYTHING that was armed for hostile action from OUTSIDE of Libya into Libya would require CBA from the POTUS, covering exactly what the military was proposing to send.
For example, Obama could have said, “I’ll okay an Armed Predator, but I need to be there watching the video feed before any missiles are launched.”
Or he could say (like Reagan or either Bush), “Go save our people in Benghazi, use the QRF in Signolla, anything you need.”
And they would have.
It still seems to me that no CBA for any hostile action was given by Obama on 9-11. That’s why the CIA in Tripoli was able to charter a plane ( !!!!! ) and send six shooters to Benghazi. They were already “in country” and didn’t need CBA from POTUS.