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Friday, April 8, 2011

Boots on the ground in Libya?

Maybe so, if Gen. Ham has his way. 

Do we ever learn, or are we just destined to stumble over our own feet for eternity?


From CBS News April 7

Gen.: U.S. troops not ideal, but may be considered in Libya

CBS/AP) 
WASHINGTON - The United States may consider sending troops into Libya with a possible international ground force that could aid the rebels, according to the general who led the military mission until NATO took over.


Army Gen. Carter Ham also told lawmakers Thursday that added American participation would not be ideal, and ground troops could erode the international coalition and make it more difficult to get Arab support for operations in Libya.


Ham said the operation was largely stalemated now and was more likely to remain that way since America has transferred control to NATO.



He said NATO has done an effective job in an increasingly complex combat situation. But he noted that, in a new tactic, Muammar Qaddafi's forces are making airstrikes more difficult by staging military forces and vehicles near civilian areas such as schools and mosques.

Nothing new about jihadists hiding behind women and children.


The use of an international ground force is a possible plan to bolster rebels fighting forces loyal to the Libyan leader, Ham said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.


Asked if the U.S. would provide troops, Ham said, "I suspect there might be some consideration of that. My personal view at this point would be that that's probably not the ideal circumstance, again for the regional reaction that having American boots on the ground would entail."

And what does Obama say?

(.)President Barack Obama has said repeatedly there will be no U.S. troops on the ground in Libya, although there are reports of small CIA teams in the country. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told lawmakers last week that there would be no American ground troops in Libya "as long as I am in this job."

Read it all

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