Gates says U.S. military could enforce a no-fly zone in Libya if Obama ordered one

washingtonpost.com ^ | March 12, 2011 | Peter Finn and Scott Wilson

[Free ThinkerNY]

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Saturday that the U.S. military, already fighting two wars in Muslim nations, would have no trouble enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya if President Obama orders one.

The comments appeared designed to counter the criticism surrounding his earlier remarks on the issue and came as the Arab League endorsed a no-fly zone to protect Libya's civilians from forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi.

Gates indicated earlier this month that the creation of a no-fly zone would be a "big operation." NATO would need to deploy an array of air power to target not only defense systems and fighter jets, but also the low-flying attack helicopters that Gaddafi has used against rebels and civilian protesters.

[JaneNC]

If is a big word for Obama.

[PistolPaknMama]

Funny stuff! He was golfing earlier today and partying with the press tonight. He doesn’t have time for boring stuff.

[blasater1960]

Hussein has got a screw loose.

[MrEdd]

Conservatives say there will be zero funding for that, and Tingle Barry will have to move the forces out of the Balkans to do it.

[americanophile]

Is anyone really fooled by this ruse Obama is using? That the U.S. is just this disinterested, uninvolved party, sitting back watching the French and British take the lead, and watching the Arab League ‘lead?’ Does anyone not think the U.S. is orchestrating this with plausibly deniable diplomatic cover and that when the shooting starts, the ‘international force’ in the skies above Libya won't be largely comprised of American fighters and comanded by the U.S. military? I give credit to the Arabs for dragging their heels long and hard enough to almost make Qaddafi's victory assured and inaction moot, but what do you suppose their cooperation is costing us? What defense pact or financial commitment have we made to assure their support? Color me skeptical.

[Cheetahcat]

Who is Obama??? Does anyone listen to him?

[Ben Ficklin]

Gates says: “We can do it. The question is whether it is the wise thing to do”

[fuzzthatwuz]

You have spent some time considering this, have you not? Excellent post! Thank you.

[americanophile]

...it just seems logical. Thanks.

[libertyhoundusnr]

Hate to say it but, I am siding with Kadafi. Hope he takes a big crap on Obama’s initiative.

[353FMG]

Why can’t the Euros pull the wagon for a change? We’re broke, dammit.

[FreeAtlanta]

Stealthy F-22s hitting a few of Libya’s aircraft, and their pilots would be afraid to take off.

[org.whodat]

who is paying and who will do the dying????

[Nachum]

The list, ping

Let me know if you would like to be on or off the ping list

http://www.nachumlist.com/

[org.whodat]

According to google Libya bought the Russian version of phase radar guided missile defense system last year for 155M, if they are there the little F-22 is a dead duck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xwgWSMhISPo

[org.whodat]

latest S-400 Triumf system

[american_ranger]

Gates is such a low life suck up.

What a hoser he is.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Free ThinkerNY.

It almost looks like he's doing some Rope-a-Dope!

• Libyan TV says Gadhafi forces capture oil town of Brega
• Libya: Gaddafi is about to force Barack Obama's hand -- In the next few days, Obama will have to decide whether to enforce a no-fly zone or -- and this may be the more likely solution -- to offer food, weapons and political support to the rebels, probably in conjunction not with the UN but with an ad hoc "coalition of the willing", as George W. Bush would have put it. There are heavy costs to saying yes, and heavy costs to saying no. Either way, Obama is about to learn a lesson: because of America's size and military power, the American president does not have the option to remain neutral indefinitely, to let others lead or to offer mere moral encouragement -- even though those are the policies this president would prefer.
• David Cameron Knows What To Do About Libya, But Does Barack Obama?
• Thousands of Libyan women march for 'no-fly zone'
• Obama Continues Strong Followership On Libya
• On Libya and budget, President Obama votes 'present'
• At Arab League, Oman urges action on Libya ("Or risk unwanted foreign intervention")
• Venezuela's Chavez says US, NATO preparing for war in Libya, warns it would be madness
• Even Wesley Clark Thinks a Libyan War Is a Bad Idea
• Why Now, More Than Ever, Libya Needs Journalists
• Libya: Arab League calls for United Nations no-fly zone
• In Search of Monsters (Mo Dowd explains why US should stay out of Libya quagmire)
• Libya: David Cameron's rude awakening as rallying cry falls on deaf ears
• The Obama Doctrine: Libya Is What A World Without U.S. Leadership Looks Like.
• Gaddafi's army will kill half a million, warn Libyan rebels