What Should be Done?

The question facing many people when looking at Libya is whether there should be an intervention or if the country should be left alone. The issue with not intervening is that there is a growing humanitarian crisis occurring before all of our eyes. People are being killed left and right and with these come human rights violations. The idea of not intervening and letting nature takes its course is a dangerous option because no one knows when this will end or how many people will die in the process. It seems like an intervention is necessary but the real question here is who, how, and for how long?

One measure that has been taken but is not helpful in putting an end to the killings is that the Security Council met and recommends to the ICC that they investigate Gaddafi. This is currently taking place but it has no immediate ramifications. The intervention has to make its presence known from the beginning. The intervention cannot come from the United States for multiple reasons but mainly because its man-power is already stretched short. The US does not have enough resources to intervene here as well. The other issue is that the Libyan people do not want US intervention because there is a fear that Libya could end up resembling other countries.

It seems that the only intervention can really come from the United Nations. I can see two possible options that the UN could take but only one that is really viable. The first option and it is less practical is to send in ground troops or UN peace keepers. This works in some situations but it does not seem feasible in this situation. This is due to the type of conflict occurring meaning that it is within a state and not between two states. Creating a line, separating, and creating a peace agreement between Gaddafi and the rebels would not work. The only option seems to be creating a no fly zone. The thought here is that it could give some time to the rebels to unify and become a stronger group behind a possible leader, allow tribes to choose a side of the conflict, and very importantly end most of the killings. This time could be very helpful and play an important part in the outcome. Currently, the rebels are not following a possible leader but instead are just fighting and wanting Gaddafi to step down. A no fly zone decided upon by the UN is the only option for an intervention. Tomorrow a meeting is being held at the UN to discuss whether a no fly zone should be put in place. More and more states are supporting a no fly zone, which means this is most likely to happen.

As I said before the intervention needs to occur soon due to how sensitize this matter is. The killings need to stop but also there is a limited amount of time for tribes to decide and for the rebels to find a leader to stand behind. The conflict seems to be at a point where an intervention should take place. The length of the intervention is another issue that has to be dealt with. If a no fly zone were to take place, I believe it should be in place until there seems to be an answer or a resemblance of a conclusion to the conflict. A new government needs to be in place before the intervention ends. There runs a risk of the conflict resuming or another uproar occurring if the intervention ends early.

By Sara Abramowitz