Up until this past weekend, some conservatives have been upset that the United States hasn’t been more proactive militarily with the issues in Libya. While I abhor the things Ghadafi is doing to his people, why does the responsibility to be the world police always rest on the United States.
Whenever there is military action needed around the world, the United States is always seen as the big bad aggressor in foreign affairs while the UN tends to get bound in ineffective resolutions. The US is blamed for interfering in affairs of other countries and blamed if they don’t . As my dad used to say “You are damned if you do and damned if you don’t”.
So for once, the U.S. has decided to take a back seat to the United Nations, fully supporting the efforts but not taking the lead. I, for one, support that tact. They have commited fully to the military operation of a no fly zone while allowing Britain and France to take the lead on the resolution.
Now I am sure I will get an earful from my Australian friends but let’s contrast this with the Australian foreign minister, Kevin Rudd. Like some American Conservatives, Rudd was blaming the G8 nations for inaction yet after the UN Resolution said that there would be no Australian military assistance (though he did pledge humanitarian aid).
The world doesn’t need any more armchair quarterbacks. (Ok except for me)