Ken,
I am fully aware that many are concerned about who we support in Libya. Fair concerns, as you full know these type of upheavals tend to attract all manner of men with all manner of motivations. There is no avoiding that.
Also those that are concerned we are supporting AQ in Libya and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt will certainly come in all political flavors. The misinformation and misunderstanding on the nature of the conflict we face since 9/11 is not restricted to any side of the political aisle. I only said that the President's enemies will lead that parade, not that they will be alone.
As to how we do this right? That is the question. I don't know, but I think some things are important:
1. Remain as neutral as possible. We are here to referee the fight, not help one fighter beat up the other..
2. Stay focused on the big picture, and that is the Arabian Peninsula. All operations in Libya must set a precedent for how we will act elsewhere, and must be designed to send messages to governmental leaders, resistance leaders, and the general populace.
3. Shape a new message for Western audiences as well. GWOT is far more about people seeking liberty and governance of their own design than about Caliphates and radical concepts on Islam. Helping facilitate evolutions of governance across the Middle East is far more conducive to making Americans save than going about changing regimes we dislike and propping up those we do.
4. The war is over and has been for years. Yes we have men in combat, more than need to be. We have gotten sucked into immaterial close fights elsewhere, and will guard against that happening here. Meanwhile we will remain committed to the pursuit of AQ proper, but we will cease in the ridiculous branding of every nationalist insurgent who accepts AQ help as somehow becoming AQ or standing for what AQ stands for.
We have an opportunity to get onto the right track, if we dare to take it.
Oh, and "De Oppresso Liber," but then I know you knew that.
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