Libya Command Hand-over: Not So Simple
Via the BBC: Libya military operation: Who should command?
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Sunday that Washington expected to turn over control of the operation to a coalition headed by France, Britain or Nato "in a matter of days".
But this is not proving so simple.
The piece is worth reading in full, as it indicates some serious confusion as to where to go next in terms of commanding this operation. It is the kind of thing that I personally would prefer be worked out before the first shots are fired.
More on this topic from The Envoy: International alliance divided over Libya command
President Barack Obama, speaking in Santiago, Chile on Monday, defended his decision to order U.S. strikes against Libyan military targets, and insisted that the mission is clear.
And like a parade of Pentagon officials the past few days, Obama insisted that the United States’ lead military role will be turned over—"in days, not weeks"—to an international command of which the United States will be just one part.
The only problem: None of the countries in the international coalition can yet agree on to whom or how the United States should hand off responsibilities.
Again: is it too much to ask to have these things sorted out before hostilities commenced?
