Why Benghazi Issue Won't Go Away

CNN ^ | Thu June 19, 2014 | Timothy Stanley

[nickcarraway]

Democrats hoping the capture of Ahmed Abu Khatallah will bring some kind of closure to the Benghazi issue are sorely mistaken. In fact, in terms of policy, events surrounding his arrest only highlight the awful legacy of the Libyan venture -- when NATO assisted the rebels and helped remove the dictator from power in 2011.

Democracy did not spring up after strongman Moammar Gadhafi was deposed, captured and killed in 2011, but instead a tyranny was replaced with an anarchy. There were an estimated 1,700 armed groups left fighting for control of the country and it became, in the words of some security analysts, "an arms bazaar."

Moreover, the attacks upon the U.S. mission in Benghazi in 2012, which led to the deaths of four U.S. citizens, raised questions about the Obama administration's competence and challenged the idea that the war on terror had brought greater security to the United States. It is doubtful that seizing Abu Khattalah, accused of masterminding the attack, will allay fears.

The Libyan government, such as it is, denies that it gave permission to seize Abu Khattalah and is apparently angry that it happened -- as well it might be. The incident suggests that a) the United States retains some form of military presence in Libya and b) it is quite happy to carry out extraordinary rendition with a minimum of good diplomatic manners. Abu Khattalah was reportedly carried away to face justice in a naval ship. Why? Perhaps partly because it's difficult to find any countries left in the region who might be willing to help with a transfer by air.

While Obama flexes America's muscles in Libya, the United States' regional sway is in sharp decline from the heady days of his "New Beginning" tour in 2009

[NTHockey]

cnn criticizing the regime and SWMNBN?

Looking out the window for flying pigs.

[exnavy]

“tyranny replaced with anarchy”... the Arab spring.

[Jack Hammer]

Just don’t ask Hillary about it; she can’t remember anything.

Bump on the noggin or something.

[minnesota_bound]

obama and clinton switched sides and support the terrorists. obama tried in Libya, Egypt and Syria and now Iraq to get the muslim brotherhood a base of operations to be used against the United States. Both obama and clinton employ people who have direct connections to terrorism.

[Verginius Rufus]

Victoria Toensing had an excellent column in The Wall Street Journal a few days ago debunking Hillary's claim that the lack of security wasn't her responsibility. There was a law passed (after the attacks in Africa when Bill was President) explicitly charging the Secretary of State with the responsibility.

Not that the media will let that interfere with her coronation.

[Republicanprofessor]

Benghazi ping.

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