Opinion: Obama defends Libya intervention
In his speech to America, President Obama successfully justified the intervention in Libya and fended off domestic criticism. He made clear that the coalition acted to stop a massacre, argues DW's Christina Bergmann.
In a resolute address to the American people nine days after ordering airstrikes against Libya, President Barack Obama successfully defended the UN-sanctioned military action from domestic critics. Obama had come under fire in recent days for not clearly defining the goals of the air campaign. The American people did not fully understand why their soldiers should risk their lives in this distant land. After all, Washington does not have obvious strategic interests in Libya. And many conservative politicians criticized the White House for so readily turning over leadership of the operation to other nations. The US president answered these questions in his speech and simultaneously defined his administration's policy toward military intervention. When a massacre looms or the stability of an entire region is in danger, then the US will intervene. Both Washington and the world have a responsibility to act in these situations, according to Obama. He reminded viewers - and rightly so - that in Bosnia during the 1990s the international community had looked on for much too long as horrific crimes were committed. Lessons of Iraq Obama also made clear that Washington had learned its lessons from the Iraq War. He explained that the military goal in Libya was not the overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi. The US simply cannot afford to invest the resources in regime change, he said. And Obama also demonstrated that the US would not act alone. The UN should be happy that Washington has shown strong leadership and has not completely withdrawn from international politics after a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Without the US, the international community would be a paper tiger. In order to enforce Security Council resolutions, establish no-fly zones and protect civilians, the world's military superpower has to play a constructive role. There's simply no way around this reality. However, Obama also clearly stated that American engagement in Libya is limited. There will be no ground troops and NATO will take over the reigns of the operation on Wednesday. On the one hand, the handover is a political calculation in order to reassure skeptical Americans about the intervention. On the other hand, it is simply necessary. The US is not in the financial and military position to wage a third war on its own over the long-term. President Obama presented himself as a head of state who is indeed ready to deploy soldiers and resources elsewhere in the world to rescue human lives. Yet he also made clear that he carefully weighs the pros and cons and acts pragmatically. In other words, intervention in Libya does not mean that the demonstrators in Syria, Yemen, Bahrain or Iran can expect to receive massive support from the US. Above all else, President Obama is looking after his own country's interests. Author: Christina Bergmann/ sk Editor: Rob Mudge
Obama
Barack_Obama Obama,_Fukui Presidency_of_Barack_Obama Obama,_Nagasaki Obama_Domain List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama Obama_(genus) Barack_Obama_presidential_campaign,_2008 Barack_Obama_Academy_of_International_Studies_6-12 Confirmations_of_Barack_Obama's_Cabinet
Libya
Libya Libya_national_football_team Italian_Libya Ancient_Libya Kingdom_of_Libya Libyan_Football_Federation Libyan_Civil_War_(2011) History_of_Libya_under_Muammar_Gaddafi Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya Libya_(mythology) Great_Socialist_People's_Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya History_of_the_Jews_in_Libya Libyan_Civil_War_(2014–present) Flag_of_Libya Libya_national_basketball_team Libyan_Arab_Republic
America
United_States Club_América Americas America_(band) América_de_Cali America_Football_Club_(Rio_de_Janeiro) América_Futebol_Clube_(RN) America_(magazine) América_(Brazilian_TV_series) América_Futebol_Clube_(MG) America_(West_Side_Story_song) America_(Simon_&_Garfunkel_song) North_America America_Records_(France) America_(Thirty_Seconds_to_Mars_album) America_(yacht)
President
Obama
Barack_Obama Obama,_Fukui Presidency_of_Barack_Obama Obama,_Nagasaki Obama_Domain List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama Obama_(genus) Barack_Obama_presidential_campaign,_2008 Barack_Obama_Academy_of_International_Studies_6-12 Confirmations_of_Barack_Obama's_Cabinet
Libya
Libya Libya_national_football_team Italian_Libya Ancient_Libya Kingdom_of_Libya Libyan_Football_Federation Libyan_Civil_War_(2011) History_of_Libya_under_Muammar_Gaddafi Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya Libya_(mythology) Great_Socialist_People's_Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya History_of_the_Jews_in_Libya Libyan_Civil_War_(2014–present) Flag_of_Libya Libya_national_basketball_team Libyan_Arab_Republic
DW
Drum_Workshop Deutsche_Welle DW-TV Defender_(association_football) Dreamworld_(Australian_theme_park) Data_warehouse Delhi_Wizards D.W._Read DW Discworld
Christina Bergmann
American
Libya
Libya Libya_national_football_team Italian_Libya Ancient_Libya Kingdom_of_Libya Libyan_Football_Federation Libyan_Civil_War_(2011) History_of_Libya_under_Muammar_Gaddafi Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya Libya_(mythology) Great_Socialist_People's_Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya History_of_the_Jews_in_Libya Libyan_Civil_War_(2014–present) Flag_of_Libya Libya_national_basketball_team Libyan_Arab_Republic
President
Barack Obama
Barack_Obama Presidency_of_Barack_Obama Barack_Obama_presidential_campaign,_2008 Barack_Obama_in_comics Barack_Obama_presidential_campaign,_2012 List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama President_Barack_Obama_(painting) Efforts_to_impeach_Barack_Obama
UN
United_Nations UN_(band) Un_(album) United_Nations_Command U.N._(group) Union_Nationale_(Quebec) National_Unity_(Peru) UN_(album) National_Union_(Spain) Parti_Unité_Nationale United_Nations_Interim_Administration_Mission_in_Kosovo United_Nations_System Peacekeeping United_Nations_Mission_in_Sierra_Leone Headquarters_of_the_United_Nations United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1874
Obama
Barack_Obama Obama,_Fukui Presidency_of_Barack_Obama Obama,_Nagasaki Obama_Domain List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama Obama_(genus) Barack_Obama_presidential_campaign,_2008 Barack_Obama_Academy_of_International_Studies_6-12 Confirmations_of_Barack_Obama's_Cabinet
American
Washington
Washington_(state) Washington,_D.C. Washington_Wizards Washington_Huskies_football Washington_Mystics Washington_County,_New_York University_of_Washington Washington_Huskies_men's_basketball George_Washington Washington_County,_Maine Washington_Capitals Washington_County,_Pennsylvania Washington_Huskies Washington,_Pennsylvania Washington,_Tyne_and_Wear Washington_County,_Oregon
Libya
Libya Libya_national_football_team Italian_Libya Ancient_Libya Kingdom_of_Libya Libyan_Football_Federation Libyan_Civil_War_(2011) History_of_Libya_under_Muammar_Gaddafi Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya Libya_(mythology) Great_Socialist_People's_Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya History_of_the_Jews_in_Libya Libyan_Civil_War_(2014–present) Flag_of_Libya Libya_national_basketball_team Libyan_Arab_Republic
White House
White_House Executive_Office_of_the_President_of_the_United_States White_House_Office White_House_(Moscow) White_House,_Tennessee White_House_(film) White_House,_Virginia White_House_(plantation) White_House,_Bishkek Presidency_of_George_W._Bush Presidency_of_Barack_Obama White_House_station President_of_the_United_States White_House_Press_Secretary Whitehouse,_New_Jersey White_House,_Jamaica
US
United_States Billboard_200 Billboard_Hot_100 Recording_Industry_Association_of_America United_States_dollar Nielsen_SoundScan Billboard_charts Hot_Country_Songs Unincorporated_territories_of_the_United_States Billboard_(magazine) Dance_Club_Songs Federal_government_of_the_United_States American_English RIAA_Certification .us Us_(Peter_Gabriel_album)
US
United_States Billboard_200 Billboard_Hot_100 Recording_Industry_Association_of_America United_States_dollar Nielsen_SoundScan Billboard_charts Hot_Country_Songs Unincorporated_territories_of_the_United_States Billboard_(magazine) Dance_Club_Songs Federal_government_of_the_United_States American_English RIAA_Certification .us Us_(Peter_Gabriel_album)
Washington
Washington_(state) Washington,_D.C. Washington_Wizards Washington_Huskies_football Washington_Mystics Washington_County,_New_York University_of_Washington Washington_Huskies_men's_basketball George_Washington Washington_County,_Maine Washington_Capitals Washington_County,_Pennsylvania Washington_Huskies Washington,_Pennsylvania Washington,_Tyne_and_Wear Washington_County,_Oregon
Obama
Barack_Obama Obama,_Fukui Presidency_of_Barack_Obama Obama,_Nagasaki Obama_Domain List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama Obama_(genus) Barack_Obama_presidential_campaign,_2008 Barack_Obama_Academy_of_International_Studies_6-12 Confirmations_of_Barack_Obama's_Cabinet
Bosnia
Bosnia_and_Herzegovina Bosnia_(region) Bosnian_War Bosnia_Eyalet Bosnia_and_Herzegovina_national_football_team Kingdom_of_Bosnia Bosnia_and_Herzegovina_in_the_Middle_Ages Banate_of_Bosnia Sanjak_of_Bosnia Bosnia_Vilayet Austro-Hungarian_rule_in_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina Socialist_Republic_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina Bosnia_and_Herzegovina_national_rugby_union_team Bosnia_and_Herzegovina_national_basketball_team Ottoman_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina Bosnia_(album)
1990
Iraq
Iraq Iraq_national_football_team Iraq_War Ba'athist_Iraq Kingdom_of_Iraq 2003_invasion_of_Iraq Iraq_Football_Association Mandatory_Iraq Iraq_national_under-23_football_team Iraqi_Republic_(1958–68) History_of_the_Jews_in_Iraq Anglo-Iraqi_War Flag_of_Iraq Iraq_national_under-20_football_team Australian_contribution_to_the_2003_invasion_of_Iraq Elections_in_Iraq
Obama
Barack_Obama Obama,_Fukui Presidency_of_Barack_Obama Obama,_Nagasaki Obama_Domain List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama Obama_(genus) Barack_Obama_presidential_campaign,_2008 Barack_Obama_Academy_of_International_Studies_6-12 Confirmations_of_Barack_Obama's_Cabinet
Washington
Washington_(state) Washington,_D.C. Washington_Wizards Washington_Huskies_football Washington_Mystics Washington_County,_New_York University_of_Washington Washington_Huskies_men's_basketball George_Washington Washington_County,_Maine Washington_Capitals Washington_County,_Pennsylvania Washington_Huskies Washington,_Pennsylvania Washington,_Tyne_and_Wear Washington_County,_Oregon
Iraq War
Iraq_War 2003_invasion_of_Iraq Iraqi_Civil_War_(2014–2017) Gulf_War Australian_contribution_to_the_2003_invasion_of_Iraq Canada_and_the_Iraq_War War Rationale_for_the_Iraq_War Iraq_War_(disambiguation) Operation_Telic List_of_coalition_military_operations_of_the_Iraq_War Invasion
Libya
Libya Libya_national_football_team Italian_Libya Ancient_Libya Kingdom_of_Libya Libyan_Football_Federation Libyan_Civil_War_(2011) History_of_Libya_under_Muammar_Gaddafi Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya Libya_(mythology) Great_Socialist_People's_Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya History_of_the_Jews_in_Libya Libyan_Civil_War_(2014–present) Flag_of_Libya Libya_national_basketball_team Libyan_Arab_Republic
Moammar Gadhafi
Muammar_Gaddafi
US
United_States Billboard_200 Billboard_Hot_100 Recording_Industry_Association_of_America United_States_dollar Nielsen_SoundScan Billboard_charts Hot_Country_Songs Unincorporated_territories_of_the_United_States Billboard_(magazine) Dance_Club_Songs Federal_government_of_the_United_States American_English RIAA_Certification .us Us_(Peter_Gabriel_album)
Obama
Barack_Obama Obama,_Fukui Presidency_of_Barack_Obama Obama,_Nagasaki Obama_Domain List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama Obama_(genus) Barack_Obama_presidential_campaign,_2008 Barack_Obama_Academy_of_International_Studies_6-12 Confirmations_of_Barack_Obama's_Cabinet
US
United_States Billboard_200 Billboard_Hot_100 Recording_Industry_Association_of_America United_States_dollar Nielsen_SoundScan Billboard_charts Hot_Country_Songs Unincorporated_territories_of_the_United_States Billboard_(magazine) Dance_Club_Songs Federal_government_of_the_United_States American_English RIAA_Certification .us Us_(Peter_Gabriel_album)
UN
United_Nations UN_(band) Un_(album) United_Nations_Command U.N._(group) Union_Nationale_(Quebec) National_Unity_(Peru) UN_(album) National_Union_(Spain) Parti_Unité_Nationale United_Nations_Interim_Administration_Mission_in_Kosovo United_Nations_System Peacekeeping United_Nations_Mission_in_Sierra_Leone Headquarters_of_the_United_Nations United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1874
Washington
Washington_(state) Washington,_D.C. Washington_Wizards Washington_Huskies_football Washington_Mystics Washington_County,_New_York University_of_Washington Washington_Huskies_men's_basketball George_Washington Washington_County,_Maine Washington_Capitals Washington_County,_Pennsylvania Washington_Huskies Washington,_Pennsylvania Washington,_Tyne_and_Wear Washington_County,_Oregon
Iraq
Iraq Iraq_national_football_team Iraq_War Ba'athist_Iraq Kingdom_of_Iraq 2003_invasion_of_Iraq Iraq_Football_Association Mandatory_Iraq Iraq_national_under-23_football_team Iraqi_Republic_(1958–68) History_of_the_Jews_in_Iraq Anglo-Iraqi_War Flag_of_Iraq Iraq_national_under-20_football_team Australian_contribution_to_the_2003_invasion_of_Iraq Elections_in_Iraq
Afghanistan
Afghanistan War_in_Afghanistan_(2001–present) Afghanistan_national_cricket_team Afghanistan_national_football_team Kingdom_of_Afghanistan Democratic_Republic_of_Afghanistan Emirate_of_Afghanistan Soviet–Afghan_War Islamic_Emirate_of_Afghanistan Operation_Enduring_Freedom Flag_of_Afghanistan International_Security_Assistance_Force Military_history_of_Australia_during_the_War_in_Afghanistan Afghanistan_national_under-19_cricket_team Afghanistan_Football_Federation Islamic_State_of_Afghanistan
US
United_States Billboard_200 Billboard_Hot_100 Recording_Industry_Association_of_America United_States_dollar Nielsen_SoundScan Billboard_charts Hot_Country_Songs Unincorporated_territories_of_the_United_States Billboard_(magazine) Dance_Club_Songs Federal_government_of_the_United_States American_English RIAA_Certification .us Us_(Peter_Gabriel_album)
Security Council
United_Nations_Security_Council Security_Council_of_Russia Security_Council_(Japan) United_Nations_Security_Council_election,_2016 United_Nations_Security_Council_election,_2015 United_Nations_Security_Council_election,_2014 United_Nations_Security_Council_election,_2013 United_Nations_Security_Council_election,_2011 National_Security_Council_(Israel) National_Security_Council_(Saudi_Arabia) National_Security_Council_(Sri_Lanka) Security_Council_of_the_Soviet_Union
Obama
Barack_Obama Obama,_Fukui Presidency_of_Barack_Obama Obama,_Nagasaki Obama_Domain List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama Obama_(genus) Barack_Obama_presidential_campaign,_2008 Barack_Obama_Academy_of_International_Studies_6-12 Confirmations_of_Barack_Obama's_Cabinet
American
Libya
Libya Libya_national_football_team Italian_Libya Ancient_Libya Kingdom_of_Libya Libyan_Football_Federation Libyan_Civil_War_(2011) History_of_Libya_under_Muammar_Gaddafi Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya Libya_(mythology) Great_Socialist_People's_Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya History_of_the_Jews_in_Libya Libyan_Civil_War_(2014–present) Flag_of_Libya Libya_national_basketball_team Libyan_Arab_Republic
NATO
NATO NATO_reporting_name NATO_summit Ranks_and_insignia_of_NATO_navies_enlisted NATO_(album) International_Security_Assistance_Force Ranks_and_insignia_of_NATO_armies_enlisted Nato_wood N.A.T.o._(singer) Enlargement_of_NATO .nato 2002_Prague_summit Army_officer_ranks Ukraine–NATO_relations Ranks_and_insignia_of_NATO_navies'_officers United_States_Permanent_Representative_to_NATO
Wednesday
Americans
US
United_States Billboard_200 Billboard_Hot_100 Recording_Industry_Association_of_America United_States_dollar Nielsen_SoundScan Billboard_charts Hot_Country_Songs Unincorporated_territories_of_the_United_States Billboard_(magazine) Dance_Club_Songs Federal_government_of_the_United_States American_English RIAA_Certification .us Us_(Peter_Gabriel_album)
President
Obama
Barack_Obama Obama,_Fukui Presidency_of_Barack_Obama Obama,_Nagasaki Obama_Domain List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama Obama_(genus) Barack_Obama_presidential_campaign,_2008 Barack_Obama_Academy_of_International_Studies_6-12 Confirmations_of_Barack_Obama's_Cabinet
Libya
Libya Libya_national_football_team Italian_Libya Ancient_Libya Kingdom_of_Libya Libyan_Football_Federation Libyan_Civil_War_(2011) History_of_Libya_under_Muammar_Gaddafi Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya Libya_(mythology) Great_Socialist_People's_Libyan_Arab_Jamahiriya History_of_the_Jews_in_Libya Libyan_Civil_War_(2014–present) Flag_of_Libya Libya_national_basketball_team Libyan_Arab_Republic
Syria
Syria Roman_Syria Syria_national_football_team Bilad_al-Sham Syria_(region) Ottoman_Syria Syrian_Arab_Federation_for_Football Syrian_Civil_War French_Mandate_for_Syria_and_the_Lebanon Syrian_Republic_(1946–1963) Mandatory_Syrian_Republic Syria–Lebanon_Campaign History_of_Syria Greater_Syria Arab_Kingdom_of_Syria Seleucid_Empire
Yemen
Yemen Yemen_national_football_team Mutawakkilite_Kingdom_of_Yemen Yemen_Football_Association Yemenite_Jews Yemen_Eyalet Yemeni_Revolution Flag_of_Yemen Yemen_Vilayet Football_in_Yemen LGBT_rights_in_Yemen Yemen_Arab_Republic Yemeni_Civil_War_(2015–present) North_Yemen Yemeni_Air_Force Republic_of_Yemen_Armed_Forces
Bahrain
Bahrain Bahrain_national_football_team Bahrain_Football_Association State_of_Bahrain Bahrain_International_Circuit Bahrain_SC Bahrain_national_cricket_team 2013_Bahrain_Grand_Prix Football_in_Bahrain 2007_Bahrain_Grand_Prix 2006_Bahrain_Grand_Prix 2010_Bahrain_Grand_Prix 2015_Bahrain_Grand_Prix 2016_Bahrain_Grand_Prix Bahrain_Grand_Prix 2012_Bahrain_Grand_Prix
Iran
Iran Iran_national_football_team Pahlavi_dynasty Football_Federation_Islamic_Republic_of_Iran Iran_national_futsal_team Iran_national_basketball_team Iran_national_cerebral_palsy_football_team Qajar_dynasty Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Volleyball_Federation Iran_men's_national_volleyball_team Iran_national_beach_soccer_team Iran_Fed_Cup_team Cinema_of_Iran Greater_Iran Football_in_Iran List_of_non-marine_molluscs_of_Iran
US
United_States Billboard_200 Billboard_Hot_100 Recording_Industry_Association_of_America United_States_dollar Nielsen_SoundScan Billboard_charts Hot_Country_Songs Unincorporated_territories_of_the_United_States Billboard_(magazine) Dance_Club_Songs Federal_government_of_the_United_States American_English RIAA_Certification .us Us_(Peter_Gabriel_album)
President
Obama
Barack_Obama Obama,_Fukui Presidency_of_Barack_Obama Obama,_Nagasaki Obama_Domain List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama Obama_(genus) Barack_Obama_presidential_campaign,_2008 Barack_Obama_Academy_of_International_Studies_6-12 Confirmations_of_Barack_Obama's_Cabinet
Author: Christina Bergmann/ sk Editor: Rob Mudge
America
United_States
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
Barack Obama
Barack_Obama
gender::male iptc::11000000 slot::keyword topic::politics type::entity type::head_of_state type::person type::politician
Libya
Libya
slot::keyword topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
NATO
NATO
iptc::11000000 iptc::16000000 slot::keyword topic::conflict topic::politics type::entity type::igo type::military_alliance type::organization
President
topic::none type::role type::value
DW
Deutsche_Welle
topic::media type::entity type::media type::organization
Christina Bergmann
gender::female topic::media type::entity type::journalist type::person
American
topic::none type::loc-x type::other
UN
United_Nations
iptc::11000000 topic::politics type::entity type::igo type::organization
Washington
Washington,_D.C.
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe2 type::location
White House
White_House
iptc::11000000 topic::politics type::entity type::facility type::location type::politics_facility
Bosnia
Bosnia_and_Herzegovina
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
1990
topic::none type::time type::value
Iraq
Iraq
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
Iraq War
Iraq_War
iptc::16000000 topic::conflict type::entity type::event type::war
Moammar Gadhafi
Muammar_Gaddafi
gender::male iptc::11000000 topic::politics type::entity type::head_of_state type::person type::politician
Afghanistan
Afghanistan
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
Security Council
United_Nations_Security_Council
iptc::11000000 topic::politics type::entity type::igo type::organization
American
topic::none type::gpe0-x type::other
Wednesday
topic::none type::time type::value
Americans
topic::none type::gpe0-x type::other
Syria
Syria
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
Yemen
Yemen
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
Bahrain
Bahrain
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
Iran
Iran
topic::none type::entity type::gpe type::gpe0 type::location
Author: Christina Bergmann/ sk Editor: Rob Mudge
topic::none type::footer type::other
Germany