Clinton Drove Obama Shift on Libya

Fears no-fly zone is too late, backs broader resolution

(NEWSER) - With a siege in Benghazi looking like a distinct possibility, the White House is suddenly looking to use some muscle in Libya. After weeks of discussion, the administration has concluded that a no-fly zone would likely be “too little, too late” to save the rebels, the New York Times reports, so it's instead pushing for a broader UN Security Council resolution, which would also allow airstrikes to slow Gadhafi's march. More»

Campaign feud gets in the way of foreign policy

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton visited Armenia last week, trying to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh disagreement and resolve the country's dispute with Turkey over the massacres of 1915. “You’ve got to salute Hillary,” writes Roger Cohen of the New York Times . “It’s a heck of a job being secretary of state when the White House puts a tight collar around the big issues — Afghanistan, Iran, Israel-Palestine and Iraq — and you’re left with Nagorno-Karabakh.” More»

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton’s transition from presidential candidate to secretary of state wasn’t easy—and neither is the new gig—but the former first lady has taken it all in stride, the New York Times reports. “I love the job; I mean, it’s really hard,” Clinton said, likening the post to being the “mayor of a good-sized small city.” But though many agree she’s comfortable, some think her impact could be greater. More»

President defends decision to intervene in Libya

(NEWSER) - President Obama made his case for the American intervention in Libya tonight at the National Defense University, reports Politico, citing the perfect storm of international support, Libyan rebels' pleas, the United States' ability to avoid committing ground troops—and its obligation to prevent genocide. Some highlights:

• On his decision: Obama says he acted "after consulting" congressional leaders and, "Tonight, I can report that we have stopped Gadhafi’s deadly advance."
• On the US cost: “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.”
• On his urgency: "As president, I refused to wait for the images of mass slaughter before taking action." Further, "We knew that if we waited one more day, Benghazi—a city nearly the size of Charlotte—could suffer a massacre that would have reverberated across the region and stained the conscience of the world. It was not in our national interest to let that happen. I refused to let that happen."

Tripoli braces for another potential clash

(NEWSER) - Gadhafi loyalists have set up checkpoints in Tripoli ahead of protests planned for today—the opposition has called for protesters to march out of mosques after noon prayers—and many fear more bloodshed. Several hours before prayers, streets were eerily empty, with few residents out. But security forces, who opened fire on protests after Friday prayers last week, killing and wounding a still unknown number, began to take up positions. More»