Obama believes that “America has played a unique role as an anchor of global security and as an advocate for human freedom”, claiming that “we are naturally reluctant to use force to solve the world’s many challenges”; despite this, he concludes that “when our interests and values are at stake, we have a responsibility to act”. He emphasizes this when discussing the tyranny that has ensued in Libya for over forty years, stating that “Muammar Qaddafi...has denied his people freedom, exploited their wealth, murdered opponents at home and abroad, and terrorized innocent people around the world – including Americans who were killed by Libyan agents”. Obama discusses how, upon Qaddafi's sudden attack on his own people, he took steps to evacuate the American embassy and any stray American citizens, froze Qadaffi's assests (which I think is bizarre), broadened sanctions, imposed an arms embargo, and told Qadaffi to step down because he had lost his legitimacy to lead. Personally, I don't believe it is one country's leader's place to tell another country's leader to step down. America clearly has some superiority complexes in that sense. However, because of Qaddafi's Stalin-like attempts to massacre his own civilian population, Obama's military action seems well justified. The coalition between the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates enforces Obama's idea that allowing such a civilian massacre would “stain the conscience of the world”, and it is reassuring to know that the United States is not the only country willing to step in order to defend “world peace”. Obama also brings up the point that America itself is divided; “just as there are those who have argued against intervention in Libya,” Obama says, “there are others who have suggested that we broaden our military mission beyond the task of protecting the Libyan people, and do whatever it takes to bring down Qaddafi and usher in a new government”. His main point, however, is that it is his job to protect America, which includes protecting others overseas. I myself feel torn; on the one hand, America has a habit of sticking it's nose where it does not belong; our need to police the world seems like an awkward personal space bubble infringement on a national level. However, I agree with Obama's sentiments concerning our duty to act in times of oppression and genocide, and thereby agree with his decision to employ but limit our military action in Libya.
-Brigitte Wilcox, P4
Obama, Barack. "President Obama’s Speech on Libya." Speech. President Obama’s Speech on Libya. Washington, D.C. 28 Mar. 2011. The White House. Web. 31 Mar. 2011.
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