Who’s leading the charge?

Though the United States participated in the air strikes, it has been Europe that has led the war against Muammar Gaddafi. In early March, French President Nicolas Sarkozy surprised the rest of the European Union by recognizing the Libyan rebels as the country’s “new representatives.” Other EU nations joined France, forming an alliance against Gaddafi, with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stating that more ships would be sent to the Mediterranean to closely monitor the situation.

Future of the Libyan War

The United States finally agreed to air strikes, but only after The United Nations Security Council approved a resolution authorizing a no-fly zone over Libya. President Obama has said that the US will support “efforts” in the region, but will not lead them. Obama has not divulged an exit strategy for American troops, but aides said that the US would likely cede control to the NATO alliance.

Mad Dog of the Middle East

Muammar Gaddafi was born in Libya in 1942. He came to power in 1969 after overthrowing King Idris I. This is not Gaddafi’s first time to run afoul of the United Nations. In 1988 he refused to extradite to Britain or the United States, two Libyan terrorists suspected of bombing Pan Am Flight 103 which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland. This refusal to extradite led to drastic U.N. sanctions. Gaddafi has been in power for 40 years. He is the longest serving ruler in the Arab world and the third longest serving ruler in the world.

His predecessor Bush was in the end very unpopular and most Americans seemed to be relieved after the great success of the Hawaii-born. But after almost one year of regency, people start to realize that even Barack Obama is not almighty, and some started to criticize him for several reasons. A radical shift to the left did not really take place, neither domestically nor external.

Nevertheless, if some could not find a change in policies: a change in style came with Obama – no question about it. The rather unilateral policy of the Bush-government was not taken over by the new one. Barack pursues dialogue which was currently made clear during his visit in China. Though there was nor real change, he strenghtened diplomatic ties: he accepted China as a big global partner, without giving up on Western values at the same time.

There are many different issues Barack Obama has to deal with concerning foreign affairs: he might be distant from the White House for the conflict in the Middle East; or to make progress in Afghanistan. Next month, the climate change conference will be held in Copenhagen. But also at home, he wants to promote the Health Care Reform and thus improve the situation of millions of U.S. citizen.

The Health Care Debates turned out to be successful for Obama when U.S. Congress voted for the biggest project related to domestic politics a few days ago. Now it is up to the Senate to decide on that topic. A Health Care Reform would mean a real change in the country, and people might start admitting: yes, he can.