NATO Involvement in Libya - Essay Example

The US and NATO applied force to save the civilians who had been subjected to a no flying zone and arms embargo by the UN Security Council. Critics have it that the US and NATO involvement in Libya crossed the borders of permission by the UN Security Council to protect the civilians against attack by Libyan forces. Some reports such as that published by the Arab Organization for Human Rights, the International Legal Assistance Consortium, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights indicate that NATO committed war crimes and violated human rights (Shabi 12).

  However, others are on the positive side in that the mission helped in the maintenance of peace by protecting the civilians against anti- Qaddafi forces. The alliance stressed its efforts to protect the civilians despite drawing numerous criticisms. This intervention has proved the alliance to be a strong pillar in the event of ending international crises and a stable foundation worth of support. I totally disagree with the critics’ allegations that NATO operations led to death and destruction of property since the war was contrary to the people’s ambitions, and that the non-violent protests would have been a success the same way it was witnessed in Tunisia and Egypt.

(Ivo and Stavridis par 5) Effectiveness of NATO involvement The intervention in Libya cannot be considered as war since their operations were legitimate and in compliance with war powers resolutions of the UN Security Council. According to the council, the use of force to protect citizens is legalized. In the event of highly populated areas experiencing the effects of war, there is freedom to enforce a no-flying zone and arms embargo. Also, in the process of protecting the citizens, the US forces do not engage in open fire exchange with the conflicting parties, ground troops or any other violent method in their operations.

The sending of the Qaddafi family to Tunisia was an attempt by the NATO to reduce the escalating hostilities against his family by the Libya citizens. The lack of engagement of ground troops in a hostile exchange cannot be termed as war in the realm of military operations. Qaddafi’s plan to cleanse Libya house by house was a serious issue on humanitarian grounds, which aroused the US and NATO forces to intervene and save the country from the ordeal. They pledge their loyalty to one weapon; the responsibility to act (Obama 2011).

In addition, the operations in Libya cannot qualify to be termed as war considering the budget incurred at the time. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan led to the expenditure of hundreds of billions of dollars compared to fewer than one billion dollars that was spent in the Libyan crises. According to the US Constitution, the Pentagon usually has an emergency fund of one billion for military matters that are not approved by the congress. The coalition’s attempt to help civilians overthrow Qaddafi did not employ force.

It is not part of their duty to transform a government but to protect, enhance peace and enforce a no-flying zone as noted in Obama's Speech on Libya. The operations in Libya are considered legal. The US intervention in the war was in line with the war powers resolution of allowing the president to act in the event of threat of its territories as well as protecting civilians against manslaughter. On the same note, NATO allies got involved in the operation according to its command and for those who did not have the capacity to participate materially, political support was given. Various