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**advabHixavoip** · 08-29-2012, 11:31 PM

I've heard people saying they were "duped", but I'm not sure why. I've always been under the impression that after supplying much man power and tech to the initial attack on Libya, we'd then play a minor role helping enforce the no fly zone with the rest of NATO performed the bulk of the operations. As far as I know, this hasn't changed. I even said earlier in this thread "Since the majority of the aircraft working over Libya are now French and British...", recognizing that there were a small amount of US planes involved.

Unless I missed something and Obama did indeed say we'd completely bow out of the operation after the initial attack, which could very well be.

Here's what he said vis-a-vis the hand-off of the Libya operation:

...

Moreover, we’ve accomplished these objectives consistent with the pledge that I made to the American people at the outset of our military operations. I said that America’s role would be limited; that we would not put ground troops into Libya; that we would focus our unique capabilities on the front end of the operation and that we would transfer responsibility to our allies and partners. Tonight, we are fulfilling that pledge.

Our most effective alliance, NATO, has taken command of the enforcement of the arms embargo and the no-fly zone. Last night, NATO decided to take on the additional responsibility of protecting Libyan civilians. This transfer from the United States to NATO will take place on Wednesday. Going forward, the lead in enforcing the no-fly zone and protecting civilians on the ground will transition to our allies and partners, and I am fully confident that our coalition will keep the pressure on Qaddafi’s remaining forces.

In that effort, the United States will play a supporting role -- including intelligence, logistical support, search and rescue assistance, and capabilities to jam regime communications. Because of this transition to a broader, NATO-based coalition, the risk and cost of this operation -- to our military and to American taxpayers -- will be reduced significantly.

...

Source: Remarks by the President in Address to the Nation on Libya | The White House He said that America was handing off its responsibility to allies and moving into a supporting role. He then provided a list of things that supporting role would include. Absent from that list was conducting offensive operations/airstrikes ... even patrolling the "no fly zone." Naturally ... it does not seem that a "supporting role" would include doing the main work of the operation, i.e. missions. (An attorney's secretary provides support to her boss by taking dictation, not by arguing motions in court, for example.) This led me into believing that we would not be doing those things. I was duped.

08-29-2012, 11:31 PM	#25
advabHixavoip Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 362 Senior Member	I've heard people saying they were "duped", but I'm not sure why. I've always been under the impression that after supplying much man power and tech to the initial attack on Libya, we'd then play a minor role helping enforce the no fly zone with the rest of NATO performed the bulk of the operations. As far as I know, this hasn't changed. I even said earlier in this thread "Since the majority of the aircraft working over Libya are now French and British...", recognizing that there were a small amount of US planes involved. Unless I missed something and Obama did indeed say we'd completely bow out of the operation after the initial attack, which could very well be. Here's what he said vis-a-vis the hand-off of the Libya operation: ... Moreover, we’ve accomplished these objectives consistent with the pledge that I made to the American people at the outset of our military operations. I said that America’s role would be limited; that we would not put ground troops into Libya; that we would focus our unique capabilities on the front end of the operation and that we would transfer responsibility to our allies and partners. Tonight, we are fulfilling that pledge. Our most effective alliance, NATO, has taken command of the enforcement of the arms embargo and the no-fly zone. Last night, NATO decided to take on the additional responsibility of protecting Libyan civilians. This transfer from the United States to NATO will take place on Wednesday. Going forward, the lead in enforcing the no-fly zone and protecting civilians on the ground will transition to our allies and partners, and I am fully confident that our coalition will keep the pressure on Qaddafi’s remaining forces. In that effort, the United States will play a supporting role -- including intelligence, logistical support, search and rescue assistance, and capabilities to jam regime communications. Because of this transition to a broader, NATO-based coalition, the risk and cost of this operation -- to our military and to American taxpayers -- will be reduced significantly. ... Source: Remarks by the President in Address to the Nation on Libya \| The White House He said that America was handing off its responsibility to allies and moving into a supporting role. He then provided a list of things that supporting role would include. Absent from that list was conducting offensive operations/airstrikes ... even patrolling the "no fly zone." Naturally ... it does not seem that a "supporting role" would include doing the main work of the operation, i.e. missions. (An attorney's secretary provides support to her boss by taking dictation, not by arguing motions in court, for example.) This led me into believing that we would not be doing those things. I was duped.
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