Shows you what a little flash of the Leviathan can do. [Later found not to be enough, but at least the conversation started for real.]
“We decided on an immediate cease-fire and on an immediate stop to all military operations,” Libyan foreign Minister Musa Kusa told reporters in the capital. He said Libya “takes great interest in protecting all civilians and protecting human rights,” adding that the government would also protect foreigners and foreign assets in the country.
Libya “accepts that it is obliged to accept the U.N. resolution,” Kusa said in explaining the decision to declare a cease-fire.
Yeah, right. Libya simply knows what the US Leviathan is capable of. This isn't about WWIII, so no Hitler comparisons please; this is about managing the system and taking advantage of opportunities when they stare you in the face. It's also about responding to an Arab League, and frankly the entire UNSC, that realizes they want this nut gone--finally. And when you have all that demand in the system and do nothing about it, you look weak--not Hitler 1938 weak, because this is not a hysteric conversation, thank you. Just weak. Leadership is an asset to be maintained, not a responsibility to run away from. It has value. We like to use it when it's appropriate. It must be kept up. Allies in Asia do want us to seem credible vis-a-vis China, and the majority of Arabs do prefer pax Americana to G-Zero.
Slate says Hillary was the decider who convinced a recalcitrant Obama by going around his too cautious advisers/bodyguards/whatever. He picked them because they reflect his thinking. Thank God he also picked her.
I voted for Hillary in 2008, and would gladly do so again.