Mil ops are clear, what about civ ops?

The U.S. military is clear enough about what it is doing in Libya (sorry the slides are not all shown in the video):

 

It is good Coalition partners are picking up about half the burden. I’m not a mil guy, but I am particularly interested in hearing that they are hitting communications. Experience in Bosnia and Kosovo suggests that is important in shifting the strategic balance. Once Gaddafi’s forces are cut off from his command and control, it is doubtful whether they will continue the fight.

That said, this effort has a civilian dimension as well.  Relief supplies are starting to move into rebel-held areas.  Hillary Clinton says Gaddafi loyalists are in touch with the State Department:

 

The most important civilian pieces are the ones we are not likely to see any time soon:

  • What is being done to ensure that the Transitional National Council is fully representative of the whole country and ready to take over governance if the opportunity presents itself;
  • Intelligence cooperation with the rebels;
  • Discussions with Gaddafi-friendly places about offering him refuge;
  • Diplomatic efforts to keep the Arab League on side, or at least not too loudly opposed to the intervention;
  • Planning for the difficult post-war stabilization and reconstruction phase.

The only diplomatic piece that has been visible the last couple of days is the quarrel over who will command and control the Coalition operation, a role the U.S. wants to pass off.  It seems now that will go to NATO.  You don’t want to delve into the intricacies of that debate, which involves French, Turkish and NATO scholasticism that would please only medieval monks.

Daniel Serwer

Share
Published by
Daniel Serwer
Tags: LibyaNATO

Recent Posts

Farewell to failure

That is the practical direction in which prospects for success lie. Farewell to failure requires…

1 day ago

The Gaza war will likely continue

The Gaza war isn't over and may continue for a long time still.

3 days ago

See no evil is not good policy

Doing something about Serbia's malfeasance requires heavy political lifting. Why take that on if no…

6 days ago

Good news, finally, but unlikely to last

Those of us looking for a Ukrainian military victory, a Palestinian state that will live…

3 weeks ago

Kosovo is more qualified than Serbia

The sad fact is that non-member Kosovo today is more qualified for CoE membership than…

3 weeks ago

Proactive would be better

The legal profession could also constitute an international nongovernmental group to advise on conflict issues…

3 weeks ago