Foreign Policy in Libya - Assignment Example

Foreign policy of the Obama administration in Libya Following the uprising of some civilians in Libya against the Colonel Muammar Gaddafi-led Libyangovernment and the use of force by the Libyan government to suppress the uprising, the United Nations Security Council supported by the Arab League authorized a no-fly zone in Libya to protect the civilian population. A joint operation organized by a coalition of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, Qater, Belgium, Denmark, and Norway assumed the responsibility of implementing the no-fly zone restriction authorized by the United Nations Security Council.

So far, the United States has engaged her Air and Naval Forces in the Libyan war. The involvement of the United States in the Libyan War has been a subject of intense debate between the United States Congress and the President Obama Administration. Indeed, the United States operation in the Libya has attracted mixed reactions within the American political landscape with the Republicans challenging the Obama administration of unconstitutionally dragging the United States to a foreign war and the White House countering the criticisms by arguing that the United States military campaign in Libya “fell short of full-blown hostilities” (Savage A1).

In fact, Republican John A. Boehner, House Speaker, requested the Obama administration to provide a legal justification for engaging the United States in a foreign war beyond 60 or 90 days without notifying Congress. Even some Democrats such as Dennis J. Kucinich, has join side with Republicans to file a lawsuit to order Obama to pull out of Libya (Steinhauer A16). These oppositions, notwithstanding, Mr. Obama enjoys the support of some Republicans and Democrats. For instance, Senator John MaCain, a Republican, teamed up with Senator John Kerry, a Democrat to support the Obama involvement in Libyan War by sponsoring legislation that will officially authorize the Libyan operation (Smith).

The involvement of the United States in the Libyan War demonstrates that the foreign policy goal of the United States under the Obama administration is that of an internationalist given that the United States has no interest in Libya except showing solidarity with its allies, United Kingdom, France, etc. Indeed, by participating in the implementation of the Arab League-supported and United Nations authorized no-fly zone, United States has proved that it is “a part of a true multi-national effort to protect the Libyan population from a leader that had vowed to kill thousands” (Creamer).

The United States involvement in the Libyan War has been favorably reported in the media without bias for or against the opposition or the Obama administration. For instance, The New York Times presented both Mr. Obama’s argument for the United States operation (Savage A1) and the Republicans-led opposition constitutional demand for the withdrawal of United States from the War in an unbiased approach (Steinhauer A16). The recent failure of Jeh C. Johnson, the Pentagon general counsel, and Caroline D.

Krass, the acting head of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, to convince the White House that United States operation in Libya amounted to hostilities (Savage A1) shows Mr. Obama commitment to the Libyan campaign. Indeed, Mr. Obama acceptance of the legal analysis of members of his legal team that supports the United States involvement in Libya further demonstrates the resolve of the White House in implementing the no-fly zone at all cost. Given the commitment of Mr. Obama and the recent signs that Germany, The Netherland, Spain, Poland, and Turkey may support the use of air force in implementing the no-fly zone, it is very likely 8 out of 10, Mr.

Obama may succeed. Works Cited Creamer, R. The Qualitative Difference Between Obama And Bush Foreign Policy. 23 June 2011. 24 June 2011 . Savage, C. "2 Top Lawyers Lost to Obama in Libya War Policy Debate." The New York Times 17 June 2011: A1. Smith, J. F. The Early Word: The Price of War. 22 June 2011. 24 June 2011 . Steinhauer, J. "White House Defends Continuing U.S. Role in Libya Operation." The New York Times 16 June 2011: A16.