Iraq Then, Libya Now

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This is an opinion item.

Author(s) Ross Douthat
Source The New York Times
Date March 13, 2011
URL http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/14/opinion/14douthat.html
Quote
In reality, there are lessons from our years of failure in Iraq that can be applied to an air war over Libya as easily as to a full-scale invasion or counterinsurgency. Indeed, they can be applied to any intervention — however limited its aims, multilateral its means, and competent its commanders. One is that the United States shouldn’t go to war unless it has a plan not only for the initial military action, but also for the day afterward, and the day after that. Another is that the United States shouldn’t go to war without a detailed understanding of the country we’re entering, and the forces we’re likely to empower.


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This item argues against the position United States should impose a no-fly zone on the topic 2011 Libyan uprising.