Twelve years after invading Iraq to overthrow a dictator:

[underlankers]

America is now back to the usual post-JFK business of creating dictators who have ties to American intelligence and military appratuses and don't have a leg to stand on as far as ther own abilities to take and maintain power. This General Haftar will no doubt end up, if he really does represent Libyan definitions of Libyan interests as a Gadaffi of

Comments

[oportet]

If we're going to place people into leadership positions in other countries, why are we taking risks with ones who are likely to turn?

If we know what we're doing, but pretend we don't know, and the world knows what we're doing, but pretends they don't know either - let's go the extra mile, be honest with our dishonesty, and just put a full blooded 'merican in charge. A Tim Johnson, a Bob Smith - somebody the world may sigh at - but at least we wouldn't immediately start second guessing ourselves once they put the crown on.

[ddstory]

"Back to"? When has America detoured from the above-described course of action?

[underlankers]

Officially? Iraq was supposed to be an exception. In reality it never did, it's just now America's back to eschewing even the pretense of changing its stripes.

[ddstory]

Oh. Officially.

[mikeyxw]

While the US has certainly supported it's share of bastards, maybe a bit behind the UK and USSR, I'm not sure what the alternative would be in this case. While it would be nice, the chances of a democratically supported leader arising and ending the civil war in Libya is about zero. We're left with a bunch of folks who make up for their lack of legitimacy with foreign support, one of whom is likely to be the winner. There is a good argument for picking the least bad alternative, General Haftar, from what little I know of him, seems to be a good candidate. I suppose the US could try to support someone who is all about freedom, democracy, and unicorns sliding down rainbows, but, really, what's the point. Maybe we should stay out of the civil wars in Syria and Libya and let those who supported the former governments who are mostly responsible for where things stand today to take care of their own mess, but this isn't exactly path of freedom and democracy either.

[sandwichwarrior]

This is what happens when we try to have our cake and eat it too.

Some how we've gotten to the point where half-assed interventions, propping up dictators, bombing without building, etc... is seen as a better option than actual intervention, or disengaging entirely.

Either take up the white man's Western Civilization's Burden or don't.