SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany. An Airman stands inside a C-130J Super Hercules here before loading cargo in support of Operation Unified Protector over Libya. // Senior Airman Nathanael Callon
Today is the 100-day mark for operations over Libya and all is not well in the coalition.
Initially tasked with enforcing a UN resolution to protect civilians threatened by Moammar Gadhafi’s regime, the international coalition is beginning to crack under the strain of a mission that seemingly has no end in sight.
Here in the U.S. there is a tense debate over the legality of the operation since the Obama administration has not sought Congressional approval for the operation, which some argue violates the 1973 War Powers Resolution. Most, however, support the goal of regime change in Libya.
In Britain, who along with France is in the lead, the war is dividing military and civilian leadership. The head of the Royal Navy said June 14 that the operation was straining the sea service, and the Royal Air Force is also warning of the strain the operation is placing on its people and planes. The war has already cost the island nation about $400 million in a time when austerity measures have poured protesters into the streets of London.
What do you think, should the NATO alliance hold together and oust Gadhafi or is it time to cut our losses and pull back from the air raids?
