Obama keeps promise to reduce US role in Libya

[Vattel]

April 4, BRUSSELS — The United States began to remove its warplanes from front-line missions in Libya on Monday and instead focus on a support role there, a NATO official said.

The changeover came as diplomatic maneuvering over the Libya crisis quickened with Turkey announcing efforts to secure a cease-fire and Italy saying it was recognizing the rebels seeking to oust Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, only the third country to do so.

The shift in the American role leaves France, Britain and other NATO nations to play a more prominent part in the aerial conflict, Carmen Romero, a NATO spokeswoman, said.

“After Monday the vast majority of strike assets will be provided by non-U.S. allies and partners,” she said. . . .

Monday’s change reflects the United States’ desire to take a step back from the military operation, although Washington has made it clear that it will continue to provide support when other nations require it, probably including the Awacs surveillance and command-and-control planes.



http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/05/world/africa/05nato.html?scp=1&sq=began%20to%20remove%20&st=cse

[gateley]

1. Man, he just can't win. Today I heard criticism that NATO isn't up to the job

and Obama shouldn't have pulled our support so quickly. :eyes: I forget who the criticizer was - heard it on the radio.

[Igel]

2. No, he can't.

"Days, not weeks."

Then again, the humanitarian mission to protect civilians seems to mostly have devolved into protecting the "civilian military" under the (marginal) control of the rebels.

No, he can't win. That's what happens when you opt for a lose-lose situation.