I learnt in my US Government course that the power to declare war or launch a military action against terrorists is the authority given only to the Congress. However, President Barack Obama's speech last week on Libya suggested otherwise. Mr. Obama explained his ambitious actions as an act to protect the Libyan people. He also said the decision to intervene in Lydia is justified since the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi was preparing to commit a massacre. I believe President Obama made compelling arguments why military intervention is needed. The president argued that this decision is not only based on the moral duties toward Libyan citizens, but also a strategy to send a message to other oppressors that violence is not the best approach to cling to power. Obama was clear enough on why military forces are necessary to enforce the UN no-fly zone, though there is plenty to critique. He failed to mention why US has to participate. He left some questions unanswered. Questions like, Does the US government have a plan or are we going to go down the same route as Iraq invasion? What is the next step for Libya after we remove the danger by forcibly removing Gaddafi from power?
I am all for a change of this brutal regime and I know United States, as a member of NATO has to stand up for Democracy and freedom. Nonetheless, we have to note that Libya is not the only place that innocent people are being slaughtered right now. Do we have to intervene in Sudan, Congo, Bahrain as well?
I am all for a change of this brutal regime and I know United States, as a member of NATO has to stand up for Democracy and freedom. Nonetheless, we have to note that Libya is not the only place that innocent people are being slaughtered right now. Do we have to intervene in Sudan, Congo, Bahrain as well?
I agree that it is America's duty to help stand up and fight for democracy. However, I question the authority on which the President is acting. Declaring war is the job delegated to Congress, not the President. This disregard for the constitution started a long time ago, the last truly declared war being WWII. If we allow Presidents to continue to call the shots that they believe are in our countries best interest or in a foreign countries best interest, then where does it stop? If we can agree that it is our job to enforce democracy then it should be easy for the President to get approval from Congress, so he should. Congress shouldn't simply ignore the fact that the President is overstepping his bounds. I also agree with your point on the need of a plan. Before we send troops to the other side of the world, we need a clear idea of our goals and what we will do when those goals are achieved.
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