When NATO, either backed by or pushed by the USA, decided to bomb the shit out of Libya, the declared aim was to protect innocent civilians, particularly women and children. The real aim, of course, was to "effect régime change", in other words to get rid of the mad colonel "Duck" Gaddafi.
The duration of the mission was to be three months, although, the military geniuses told us, it would really take only a week or so, because the Libyans were an ill-armed, unmotivated, disorganized rabble. (It wasn't clear if they were talking about the rebels or the government forces.) Walt said he'd take that bet.
It is now over six months since the first shot was fired in anger, and the mission has been extended for another three months, although the US commander tells us the end could come "as early as this week". Walt will take the bet on this week too. (Lifetime pct .979)
Meanwhile, outside of Gaddafi's hometown, Sirte, the rebels have formed a circular firing squad. A number of women and children have been killed already. I don't know enough about Islam to know if they will be greeted in paradise by 72 virgins; that doesn't sound appropriate for women and children.
In spite of the ring of fire around Sirte, the whereabouts of the Chief Tenthead is still unknown. Won't it be funny if the ring is closed, the rebels drive their multi-hued pickup trucks into the middle of town, only to find that Gaddafi has vanished, in a north African version of the old Indian rope trick. Stay tuned....
Postscript: If and when Gaddafi is caught and execute (with or without benefit of trial), Walt will be opening a book on how much time will elapse before the next gang of thieves rebels against the gang now being hoisted onto the throne, with more than a little help from NATO. Our assistance is, of course, totally unrelated to Libya's large reserves of Texas tea.
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