Election Issues 2012: Research project and presentation Senior Seminar Andrew Baskin America’s Commitment of Troops Through NATO.

Election Issues 2012:

Research project and presentationSenior SeminarAndrew Baskin

America’s Commitment of Troops Through NATO

Historical Background1949 North Atlantic Treaty Organization is formed by 12

countries, including U.S.

1952 At Lisbon Conference, forces and plans are organized in preparation for Cold War

1955 Warsaw Pact is signed by Soviet countries, effectively setting sides for cold war (NATO vs. Warsaw Pact)

1994 After collapse of Soviet Union, NATO refocuses and launches Partnership for Peace Program, the role of which is to maintain peace

1994 NATO acts militarily for the first time, bombing a Serbian military outpost during Bosnian War

Historical Background (cont.)2001 Following attacks of

9/11, NATO assisted U.S. in the invasion of Afghanistan.

2003 Iraq War begins, whichcreates division in NATO; many countries oppose U.S.’s invasion.

2010 Membership increases to 28 countries.

2011 U.S. and NATO lead military operations to protect civilians in Libyan conflict.

Current State of U.S. & NATO After 9/11 attacks, NATO re-shifted focus to

terrorism

NATO allies have been increasingly at odds

“A dim, if not dismal future”

Recent conflict and U.S. In involvement in Libya has produced backlash

Opposing ViewpointsFor Against

• Responsibility to protect civilians, aid in installation of democracy

• Installing democracy does not work (see, Iraq, Afghanistan)

• Prevent a possible humanitarian disaster

• Money is better off spent elsewhere

• Valuable source of energy (oil) • NATO should use its power for diplomacy, not war

• Helping rebels could earn “significant brownie points” with conservative Muslims

• May be inadvertently helping groups such as Al Qaeda

Obama/Democratic Position Obama strong defender of U.S. involvement in Libya;

majority of democrats are supportive as well

Get rid of Gaddafi, protect civilians and democracy

Doubts exist concerning Democratic support of similar military operations in the future

Do not want to get involved in another round of “nation building”

Republican Party Position In past have approved many similar operations –

Afghanistan, Iraq

Of strong belief that Obama misused power and authority to get involved in Libya

Have stopped short of requesting withdrawal of troops

Senator McCain most vocal Republican supporter – definitely in minority

Obama violated Constitution

Mitt Romney’s Position Supports military action in Libya, but strongly disproves

of how Obama handled decision

NATO is important for America’s safety

Expand NATO to establish a “global military alliance dedicated to ensuring security and protecting freedom”

Rick Perry’s Position Gaddafi’s ouster cause for “cautious celebration”

NATO has too much commanding power

Michele Bachmann’s Position Strongly opposed U.S. intervention in Libya

(interestingly voted against troop surge in Iraq)

Foreign policy goal is to win war on terror

Obama is “ravaging our military strength and structure”

Bibliography-Associated Press. “Rick Perry in San Antonio: US commanders (not NATO) should lead US combat troops.” N.p.,

29 Aug. 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011.

-Bendery, Jennifer. “Obama Unlikely to Sink Money Into Re-Building Libya, Experts Say.” Huffington Post. N.p., 25 Aug. 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/25/obama-rebuilding-libya_n_936852.html>.

-Bingham, Amy. “Romney Supports Military Action in Libya, Criticizes President For Decision Making.” ABC News. ABC, 22 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/03/romney-supports-military-action-in-libya-criticizes-president-for-decision-making/>.

-Cato Institute. “Khadafy on the Ropes; What’s Next for Libya.” Opposing Views. N.p., 22 Aug. 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://www.opposingviews.com/i/topstory/khadafy-ropes-whats-next-libya>.

-CNN Political Unit. “2012 candidates react to events in Libya.” CNN. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/22/2012-candidates-react-to-events-in-libya/>.

-“Foreign Policy.” Mitt Romney for President. Mitt Romney, n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://www.mittromney.com/issues/foreign-policy>.

-Granlund, Dave. “Obama and Libya flak.” Cartoon. Dave Granlund: Cartoons and Illustrations. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://davegranlund.com/cartoons/wp-content/uploads/color-obama-libya-flak-web.jpg>.

-Michele Bachmann. N.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://i.current.com/images/asset/906/211/85/1JX7KW.jpg>.

-“A More Secure Nation.” Michele Bachmann for President. Michele Bachmann, n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://www.michelebachmann.com/issues/security/>.

-Mulrine, Anna. “What are pros and cons of a no-fly zone over Libya?” The Christian Science Monitor Online. Christian Science Monitor, 9 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2011/0309/What-are-pros-and-cons-of-a-no-fly-zone-over-Libya>.

-“North Atlantic Treaty Organization.” New York Times Topics. The New York Times, 10 June 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/n/north_atlantic_treaty_organization/index.html>.

-“Pros and cons of a Libya no-fly zone.” Letter. The Guardian [London] 9 Mar. 2011: n. pag. The Guardian/Observer Archive. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/10/libya-no-fly-zone>.

-Rebel Libyan Soldier. N.d. Mar. 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://latimesphoto.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/la-fg-1libya18.jpg>.

-Republican Party Elephant. N.d. SaintPetersBlog. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://saintpetersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/republicans21.jpg>.

-Rick Perry. N.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2011/08/Rick-Perry-GOP.jpg>.

-U.S. Troops in Firefight. N.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://www.claytonmspaparazzi.com/_IMAGES/afpak-fun-14g-127.jpg>.