Stalemate in Libya

Just a month after the United Nation Security Council adopted Resolution 1973 and the subsequent successful imposition of a no-fly-zone over Libya, the situation seems to have developed into a military stalemate.

Even without fighter aircraft, forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi have consolidated their positions in central and western Libya. Ill-equipped and largely untrained opposition forces are desperately defending Misrata, the only rebel-held city in the west of the country, which is relentlessly shelled by pro-Gaddafi forces.

Meanwhile, the US has withdrawn their fighter jets from the international air campaign in the country. With Obama’s approval ratings at an all-time low, the president seems to want to make the point that the US does not need to take the lead in every international military operation that does not directly involve vital US interests. Apart from that, Obama wants to concentrate on the domestic US agenda, on which he is building his re-election effort, and the very last thing he needs is another Iraq or Afghanistan.