(no subject)
America's political strength lay in its comparative advantage of the application of coercive force - that is, weaponry. Clausewitz has been reiterated in blood multiple times - once man enters the world of force - of the irrational - man's ability to impose limits on that application of political strength becomes increasingly precarious. I ask anyone supporting a No Fly Zone two questions: 1) Can you think of a time where a No Fly Zone achieved its objective? 2) Can you think of a time where a No Fly Zone didn't inevitably turn into a larger war?
As despicable of a character as Qaddafi is it's worth asking what a No-Fly Zone would entail. It would be necessary, in order to safeguard planes, to destroy anti-aircraft batteries. This requires killing Libyan soldiers, which would create a de facto state of war. Qaddhafi, never a rational individual and prone to Pareto-efficient methods of thinking (I will make my opponents lose even if I can't win) and with a proven penchant for asymmetric warfare to achieve his bizarre and alien aims (Lockerbie) will, I believe, not let a lack of air support stop him from achieving what he wants. It is not inconceivable for some form of military transfer to irregular troops or of asymmetric combat, with individual officers given carte blanche. He already has civilian supporters who have proven they are willing to do so.
As despicable of a character as Qaddafi is it's worth asking what a No-Fly Zone would entail. It would be necessary, in order to safeguard planes, to destroy anti-aircraft batteries. This requires killing Libyan soldiers, which would create a de facto state of war. Qaddhafi, never a rational individual and prone to Pareto-efficient methods of thinking (I will make my opponents lose even if I can't win) and with a proven penchant for asymmetric warfare to achieve his bizarre and alien aims (Lockerbie) will, I believe, not let a lack of air support stop him from achieving what he wants. It is not inconceivable for some form of military transfer to irregular troops or of asymmetric combat, with individual officers given carte blanche. He already has civilian supporters who have proven they are willing to do so.