Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

‘No-fly zone’ in Libya would be risky

Our hearts bleed for those who are dying in Libya, fighting to overthrow a mad man who has been in power for 41 years. Moammar Gadhafi must go, we all agree. But should we get involved?

Sen. John Kerry and others want us to impose a “no-fly zone” over Libya, to prevent Gadhafi from using his air force in a heavy-handed way to kill his own countrymen.

But Defense Secretary Robert Gates points out that this would involve bombing Libyans. If you are wondering why, well the most obvious reason would be to eliminate Libya’s air defense capabilities and prevent it from shooting down our planes. The next reason would be to eliminate its capability to retaliate against our bases and ships.

When that is all done, our involvement may escalate. People will still be dying, just from tanks rather than planes. Will we then destroy the tanks? Will we have to put “boots on the ground” to stop Gadhafi from cutting off the oil supply? And, finally, will Libyans rally around Gadhafi against the “American imperialist”? Stranger things have happened.

Eventually of course, someone will call this another unnecessary war and say our “boys are dying for oil, again.”

It may all be necessary, I agree. But be prepared for the consequences.

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