AS A PURELY LEGAL MATTER...:

Libyan Raids Show Obama Doctrine in Action (ADAM ENTOUS And LAURA MECKLER, 3/20/11, WSJ)

Facing off against then-fellow Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in a debate for the Democratic primary, Mr. Obama said he didn't want to just end the war in Iraq. "I want to end the mind-set that got us into war in the first place," he said.

In contrast to his predecessor, President George W. Bush, who invaded Iraq in 2003 despite opposition from many allies and Democrats, Mr. Obama is taking pains to receive unambiguous legal authority through the United Nations, getting clear support from Arab states and then letting others—France and Britain —lead the military charge. [...]

The cruise-missile strikes ordered by Mr. Obama against Col. Gadhafi's air defenses Saturday were the first major show of American force in the military campaign. "We're the only nation with the capacity to fire that many," a military official said, explaining why the U.S. was taking the lead for now.

They were also the first military action authorized by Mr. Obama that weren't connected with a war that began before his presidency.

...Saddam Hussein was in open and repeated violation of a series of long-standing UN Resolutions his compliance with which were the condition for the 1991 cease-fire. UN Resolution 1973, authorizing military strikes on Qaddafi, follows a resolution (UN Resolution 1970) of three weeks ago that was based on "violation of human rights."

Mind you, we have problem with such an arbitrary and capricious standard for the use of American military might against regimes we disapprove of, but the idea that the President has met a higher standard is absurd.

Posted by oj at March 20, 2011 11:47 AM
Tweet   

Follow @brothersjudd