U.S. Support for Democracy in Libya

By Skip Belt Feb 23, 2011

The revolutions in the Middle East have been along time coming, but they are here. It is a natural desire of all oppressed people to oppose autocrats, dictators, and kings and emirates that run their countries for their own benefit and wealth. Tunisia was the flashpoint that emboldened others. The people are tired of intimidation and corruption in their government and want the individual respect inherent in a democratic representative government.

I believe that Middle East is embarking on a momentous change for the better for its people and the U.S.  It truly offers its people hope which has been squelched for centuries. It is as significant as the collapse of the Soviet Union and the dictatorships of their client states. As leaders of the free world, we need to help democracy develop in this region. It is the best hope for long term stability and peace.

Libya is very different from Tunisia and Egypt and the risk of major violence and civilian deaths is far greater. There should be no equivocation in our support for the people protesting the regime. Gadhafi is a bloody tyrant and is mentally unstable. He has no legitimacy to rule. He has told his people that the U.S. and the West do not care about them and will do nothing to assist them because they fear a civil war that only Gadhafi can prevent. The only way to meet this challenge and to reduce probability of brutal genocide is for the U.S. to show resolve and strength and solidarity with the Libyan people. It is not enough just to decry the violence. We must show the democracy protesters that we admire their courage and share their ideals. We also must be ready to act to protect and encourage this movement in Libya.

I anticipate that more elements of the Libyan armed forces will defect to the side of the protesters. If they have legitimate democratic motives, the Obama administration should offer military assistance and humanitarian aid to protect them and to legitimize their leadership. We should not put any troops on the ground but should at least offer protection of a no fly zone perhaps as part of a UN or NATO effort. It will be a clear message of our support for this Movement and our concern for the welfare of the Libyan people.

We must not appear as an aggressor or occupier. We should only offer limited support to the leaders of this Democracy Movement to overcome this dictatorship and protect the people from Gadhafi’s brutal efforts to retain power. If we do not take this action the civil war is likely to be more bloody as well as the reprisals. In this chaotic atmosphere and power vacuum, the radicals and other anti-democratic elements will be trying to position themselves to take over the revolution. We can reduce this risk if the anti-Gadhafi forces consider us as allies and not just bystanders. I feel sure that President Obama understands and is committed to this movement. He naturally must be cautious, especially while American citizens in Libya are still in jeopardy, but we must be willing to act if the Gadhafi forces seek to massacre its people.