Stalemate in Libya

In March, President Obama under U.N. auspices, launched a military operation in Libya to protect civilians from a humanitarian disaster. The president promised the nation that military operations would last days not weeks. Unfortunately, we are months into the campaign and there appears to be no end in sight.

The U.S. is now begging other European nations to join in the military campaign against Libya as the operation is placing a strain on NATO. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has called on Germany and Poland, who have refused to participate in the Libyan operation. The secretary also called on Spain, Netherlands, and Turkey, which are participating but not in airstrikes, to step up their role.

The president is beginning to receive pushback from Congress who are asking more questions as to what is the perceived goal in Libya. Since military operations began, the president hasn't consulted Congress as stated in the War Powers Act, which requires the president to obtain congressional authorization 60 days after military operations commence. That deadline has already passed.

Remember, then candidate Obama stated, "The President does not have power under the constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation."

Many questions still remain, and currently our stated objectives are murky at best.

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