Is the US Still the Global Leader??

Photo: Scott Nelson/NYT via WcP Watchful.Eye's blog

As people are slaughtered and tortured by Gaddhafi's troops re-taking rebel held areas, the international community dithers. Is it any wonder that neither the UN nor NATO have been able to reach a consensus on action to help the Libyans fighting for their freedom? The United States seems to have forgotten its (self-delegated) role as leader of the free world.

The Bush Administration had no fear as it charged ahead with the invasion of Iraq, despite international misgivings. Now, as Libyans beg for international assistance, the United States seems willing to engage only if others take the lead. As Thomas Ricks says in his Foreign Policy blog, "the American position is that it will support NATO action if one of those three entities [Arab League, African Union, UN] agrees to take the lead."

The US has used up its international political capital in the misguided Iraq war. Now, it must be wary of "regional sensitivities" as it considers Libyan intervention. How sad it is that when US global leadership is needed, we are incapable of rising to the occasion. Constrained by our past actions and reputation, we no longer should call ourselves the beacon of freedom if we cannot assist the forces of freedom when it matters.