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Can Gadhafi Outlast NATO?

Pressure ramping up to end conflict

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 5, 2011 8:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – Fifteen weeks into its Libyan campaign, NATO is getting restless. The eight nations involved in the campaign can’t get the other 20 off the bench, and many seem to disagree on strategy. Norway, whose tiny air force has carried out a disproportionate 10% of the airstrikes, has set an end date for its involvement, while the Dutch defense minister last week complained of “mission creep,” and the Italian foreign minister called for a ceasefire, the LA Times reports.

The US, meanwhile, refuses to take part in combat missions, and faces pressure from Congress to end its involvement entirely. “All the countries are watching an economic and political time clock,” said one think tank member. “The question is: Whose coalition will break first, Gadhafi’s or NATO?” Western officials worry that these signs of weakness are encouraging Gadhafi, with one retired general warning that a ceasefire deal would let him “behave like an intransigent Bosnian warlord,” and maneuver for a return to power.

Demonstrators against North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) involvement in Libya stand outside Buckingham Palace in London, during Barack Obama's visit, May 24, 2011.
Demonstrators against North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) involvement in Libya stand outside Buckingham Palace in London, during Barack Obama's visit, May 24, 2011.   (Getty Images)
A Libyan soldier stand on top of a destroyed building at the Bab Al-Aziziya district of Tripoli on June 7, 2011, in this photo taken on a government-led tour.
A Libyan soldier stand on top of a destroyed building at the Bab Al-Aziziya district of Tripoli on June 7, 2011, in this photo taken on a government-led tour.   (Getty Images)
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in this 2002 file photo.
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in this 2002 file photo.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
HMunster
Jul 5, 2011 4:20 PM CDT
"Can Gadhafi Outlast NATO?"  In fact the real question being asked should be: "Can You Look At This Photo of Gadhafi For Longer Than 30 Seconds Without Going Blind?"
Reader65069154
Jul 5, 2011 11:46 AM CDT
NATO = US $.  Unless Obama wants to take another torpedo for violating the War Powers Act, he won't involve the US further.  My guess is we've seen the peak of Libyan involvement, as most people don't agree the US should be there in the first place.
beckjr2000
Jul 5, 2011 11:34 AM CDT
This should have never begun in the first place! America had no call to enter this Civil War.

 
NATO • Italy • Libya • Netherlands • Norway • Moammar Gadhafi • Libya no-fly zone • Libya ceasefire

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