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

On the agenda and off for US-Serbia

President Vucic is getting a boost. Transactions are on the agenda. Democracy, rule of law,…

2 days ago

It’s an old game. They’ll play it again

The US will try to get Serbia aligned with US objectives. Serbia will offer half…

4 days ago

How to fix what ails America

If even a handful of retiring Republicans announce that they will caucus with the Democrats,…

5 days ago

Trump and Putin have the same problem

The lesson is that powerful states should hesitate to attack less powerful ones, who will…

1 week ago

Improved, but not as good as could be

With NATO and EU membership, Kosovo won't care much about UN membership, which can't happen…

2 weeks ago

It’s an ailing America, and it won’t recover soon

No, America is no longer the America Europeans, including Kosovars, want it to be. And…

2 weeks ago