Libya Action Worries Retired Admiral
In this photo from 1995, Retired U.S. Navy Adm. Leighton W. "Snuffy" Smith speaks near the end of the Bosnian conflict.
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Retired U.S. Navy Adm. Leighton W. “Snuffy” Smith is casting a worried eye on the Libya effort, based on his own experience as one of a handful of men who’ve commanded “no-fly” zones in the past.
Smith, who lives in Pinehurst, took time for a telephone interview while on his way to Annapolis, Md., to attend the graduation ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy. He is a distinguished graduate of the Academy and was on his way to this year’s ceremony.
“Who in the hell are we helping?” Smith asked. “What happens if, attacking a Gadhafi stronghold, they start slaughtering civilians? Do we bomb the rebels? I don’t know the answer to that question.”
As commander-in-chief of NATO Allied Forces, Southern Europe and U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, Smith commanded NATO’s Operation Deny Flight during the Bosnian war, the first time a NATO shield was extended beyond Europe.
“The U.N. resolution was to protect civilians,” Smith said. “I think it is duplicitous. The president said he wants Gadhafi out, that he must go. Now everybody is saying that’s not the mission of the bombing. Of course the mission has to be in concert with the United Nations resolution, and that is protection of the civilian population. Those are at odds with each other.”
The partners in this coalition already appear to be divided, Smith said.
“I think what’s going to happen, with a lot of patchwork involved, is that the coalition is getting frayed,” he said. “Obama had to call the Turkish prime minister to bring him back into the fold. The French want very much to run this operation.
“They didn’t want it to be a NATO operation, but now Sarkozy has apparently agreed to that. There is some idea that they can have a committee of politicians deciding what is to be done — and I don’t see how you run a war like that.”
War-by-committee command is apt to be troublesome, Smith said. During the Bosnian conflict, Smith said he found himself operating under complex rules of engagement whose interpretation varied depending on who did the interpreting.
“The biggest problem I had in Bosnia was that, again, interpretation,” he said. “Michael Rose — he was a British general — wanted no part of NATO air. He saw that was a danger. (Another) said, ‘The use of force is the absolute last, last, last, last priority. I don’t want to use it’ and I said, ‘Why the hell are we flying airplanes all over the place?’ and he said, ‘Well, you know it gets their attention.’”
There was little common understanding of mission, he said.
“It was just ridiculous,” Smith said. “I was being pushed very, very hard to be more aggressive by the U.S. side, and being held at arm’s length by the U.N. side, and — interestingly — the contact group, which was all the interlocutory, made up by the way who all sat in the U.N. and all but a few sat in NATO — couldn’t get their stuff together. It was just unbelievable!”
Lack of Clarity
This Libya situation could be even worse, Smith said.
“I think it is going to be much worse,” he said. “Who in the hell are we talking to on the ground? Who is the representative that we think is going to go in and take over, assuming Gadhafi is deposed — but, of course, that is ‘not the mission’ — what in the living hell is the endgame?”
This is not the only place in the world where civilian populations are in danger from their nation’s leaders, Smith said.
“What happens if the Syrians start getting the crap beat out of them by Assad?” Smith asks. “What is he (Obama) going to do if the Iranians arise and get the crap beat out of them by Ahmadinejad? This is a Pandora’s Box, and it is an unbelievably complex situation. I don’t know that we are doing this exactly the right way at all.”
That lack of clarity is very troublesome to this former no-fly zone commander.
“Who is calling the targets?” Smith asked. “What is the ultimate objective? I mean, no kidding, what is the ultimate objective? Is it Gadhafi? Is it to embolden the rebels, or to arm the rebels? What happens if the rebels start bleeding out Gadhafi supporters? I don’t think we have taken that next step, and I don’t think we are even close to being prepared to commit to a ‘next step’ if a ‘next step’ is required.”
Smith said he is by no means suggesting the United States side with Gadhafi and support his regime.
“He is an animal, a crazy man,” Smith said. “He is a terrorist by any definition, and he should have been assassinated years ago. The fact of the matter is we have no clue who is going to rise to the top if he goes away. Who is going to be the guy who takes his place, and is he going to be worse? And who will rebuild what we tear up?”
Some Responsibility
Despite these misgivings, Smith feels the United States does have some protective responsibility.
“I think Obama is probably (right) that at some point we have to do something to try to protect the individuals who are getting slaughtered,” he said. “Us using the rebels’ uprising as a means to facilitate the departure of Gadhafi is probably not a bad thing, but we get cross-threaded with the United Nations. The U.N. has said our mission is to protect civilians. We have to be careful. The question I have about NATO is why is NATO involved? You have to get 16 nations involved, a mind-boggling situation when you have to do anything.”
‘Deserve Full Explanation’
Article 5 of the NATO agreement makes an attack on any an attack on all, he said. It has been extended to cover other area conflicts since.
“When you went into Turkey and declared a no-fly zone in 1991 to protect the Kurds, that was the first time Article 5 was imposed,” he said. “The second time — and this was the first time NATO ever went out of area — was when we went into Bosnia and I was the commander.”
That meant, Smith said, a real struggle getting NATO nations to agree.
“You had to get 16 guys to agree,” he said. “The wording is unbelievable. You and I arrange something, a French officer and a British officer are going to interpret it two different ways. At the end of the day, I would really love to see this mission statement. I don’t know. I’ve never seen it.
“The whole thing keeps getting broader and broader, and nobody knows where it’s going to end up. That’s what I’m worried about.”
That is what Smith hopes the president will provide the American people, and the sooner the better — a clear explanation of what we are doing and hope to achieve by the use of military force in Libya.
“Whatever the mission is — whatever the coalition turns out to be, whoever is involved — the American people deserve a full explanation of what we really are trying to do, what our end-state is, how we intend to extract ourselves from that situation once that end-state is achieved,” Smith said. “I definitely think the president is obligated to consult with the leadership of both parties, because he is spending the treasure of this nation and putting the young men and women of this nation’s lives on the line.
“I think we need people to understand why we are doing that and if the goal we are trying to achieve has any chance whatsoever.”
Contact John Chappell at jfchappell@gmail.com.
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Comments
djcalaska 2 years, 1 month ago
Retired Navy Admiral "Snuffy" Smith is the type of person who should orchestrating our military in conflicts. This is the type of person politicians should be getting advice from BEFORE engagement, not after. Thank you for your service, Sir.
HillTopper 2 years, 1 month ago
Absolutely. Learn from your mistakes and stop making the same ones over and over. I guarantee you most of the issues that concern Retired Admiral Smith haven't even been addressed. The UN is taking a "let's wait and see what happens" stance. This is going to be a real mess and costly as well. Just the beginning ...
Jibbs 2 years, 1 month ago
I'm so tired of these war-mongering socialist liberals. . .
IRAQ WAR PROTEST - JAN. 27, 2007 by Politicstv
BigE 2 years, 1 month ago
War-mongering?
Ross 2 years, 1 month ago
Jibbs - and I am SO tired of people like YOU- clueless to a fault!
Matt_Woodruff 2 years, 1 month ago
Ross, it is obvious that you didn't watch the video. Your zealousness for ad hominem attacks is doing an injustice to your superior intelligence.
Jibbs 2 years, 1 month ago
How clever Ross! I'd be willing to bet you're sitting there anxiously waiting with your black marker to see the who the next candidate you can paint a Hitler mustache on is. It never gets old, does it?
teufelhunden 2 years, 1 month ago
This whole situation is truly a Pandora's box. This could get really ugly, really quickly...I mean all-out full-scale World War ugly. If you haven't already, start thinking about survival skills and worst-case scenarios. Just because it is "over there" doesn't mean it isn't ever going to come here. The state of the world is in constant conflict. This isn't time for pointing fingers over "fear"-it is about being aware, prepared and vigilant as hell.
CC85 2 years, 1 month ago
In a Pentagon news briefing Thursday, Vice Adm. William E. Gortney said, "We are going to give up the command position . . . and be participants" in the Libyan operation. he said the United States would "continue to provide predominantly those capabilities we have that are unique," such as refueling tankers, "ISR [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] platforms" and "some of the interdiction strike packages."
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Smith said. “I definitely think the president is obligated to consult with the leadership of both parties, because he is spending the treasure of this nation and putting the young men and women of this nation’s lives on the line.
Apparently the good Admiral doesn't watch news casts since I sure before committing resourses to a no fly zone, our President consulted with active duty chiefs of staff and since it wasn't a declaration of war, congress didn't have to be consulted. POTUS'O sent a letter to Speaker John Boehner outling United Nations Security Councel's resolution 1973. What the people need is another arm-chair quarterback who doesn't attend high level meetings with Active Pentagon brass. Why do retirees think that they are actively involved in governmental decisions...he should stay in Pinehurst and play golf and remain "RETIRED".
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Toda - you might check out Obama's statement about the authority for Bush to attack Iraq. And, BTW, what exactly are our attacks in Libya. What is our mission? Who are we protecting? Why would we get in the middle of a internal issue in Libya?
UN resolutions are not by any measure a reason to ignore the US Constitution.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
And didn't we get into an internal issue in Bosnia? What did that operation have to do with protecting the U.S.A.?
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Mauiman you must be referring to Article I Section 8 of the US Constitution.[?] President Obama has not declared war - at least not to my knowledge. The US is operating under a blanket UN security council mandate 1973. Since the US has not declared war, and the speaker of the house has been informed in writing according to Boehner's own statements, so the President is complying with the US Constitution. "And, BTW, what exactly are our attacks in Libya". Dropping laser guided munitions, and firing cruse missiles from aircraft and sea launch. No boots on the ground that anyone or the press has been informed.
"Who are we protecting?" As always, oil interests. Perhaps Americans cringe at the thought of $5.00 a gallon petrol unless one has stock or is a hedge fund investment group.
"Why would we get in the middle of a internal issue in Libya?" Innocents being murdered for speaking out and wanting democracy perhaps. It's happening in several Middle Eastern countries like their next door neighbor - Egypt.
"UN resolutions are not by any measure a reason to ignore the US Constitution." you'll have to be more specific than that statement. The Executive Branch hasn't ignored the US Constitution. Bush attached Iraq because of WMD's. Or the fact that Saddam threaten George H. W. Bush. Bush started two wars with thousands of our men and women giving their lives. How many American's have lost their lives in Libya? -0-
None 2 years, 1 month ago
So we can go to war but just not declare it. On Dec. 20, 2007, Mr. Obama said in a speech that the “president does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.” So what is wrong here? A letter to the Speaker in response to the Speaker's letter to the President is justification for bombing innocents (we have no idea who we killed during our strikes).
What is the mission? Who are we killing and why? Democracy? We have no idea what those in revolt desire or will end up with as a government. Just how many "democracies" are there in the Middle East now so we can determine if there is a track record of success.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Are you referring to George Bush? Or Lyndon Johnson?
Didn't the bombing of innocents occur in Vietnam during carpet bombing from B-42's at 30,000 feet over Laos, North Vietnam and Cambodia?
"We have no idea what those in revolt desire or will end up with as a government. Just how many "democracies" are there in the Middle East now so we can determine if there is a track record of success".
We do not have any idea what will happen in countries that have been in existence for over 2000 + years and have been fighting longer than that according to Civics before the 1500 hundreds. Wars will always be fought without good reason ~ then and now. It seems we have wars to control populations in various countries. It is a finite line between socialism, communism, totalitarian rule, and dictatorship. However, our world has seen and been exposed to them all and will continue for decades to come. God forbid should we see another antichrist like Hitler. Who knows where the next one will come from ~ the middle east perhaps?
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Toda,
Obama has officially been in the military for just over two years––I was an E-4 in my second year––yet you call a retired Admiral with decades of actual experience "an armchair quarterback?" If ANYONE has earned the credibility to have their opinion be taken into consideration it's him, whether we agree with him or not.
You truly see the world through your own select set of goggles don't you?
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Well spoken ~ then why isn't he on the Joints Chief of Staff? He could replace all those people who have daily reports only privy to them and the President. Question for you: do the ex-presidents have first hand information on National Security or members of Congress who are not sitting on a select National Security Committee? Just wondering?
I use my corrective lenses to read. E-4 ~ thank you for your service.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Obama is not nor was he ever in the military. He is Commander in Chief, a civilian position requiring no qualifications. Obama never managed or lead anything till he was elected --- and he has no idea how or what to do in routing business let alone crisi management and decision making.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
"Now everybody is saying that’s not the mission of the bombing." Who is everybody? President Obama stated that no boots on the ground. So now we have a retired Admiral second guessing the Commander-in-Chief.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Of course, like your critics about our county commissioners. Only difference, ADM Smith knows what he is talking about.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Really ~ daily briefings based on critical mission secret documents...documentation reflects credibility now doesn't it?
None 2 years, 1 month ago
“It was just ridiculous,” Smith said. “I was being pushed very, very hard to be more aggressive by the U.S. side, and being held at arm’s length by the U.N. side, and — interestingly — the contact group, which was all the interlocutory, made up by the way who all sat in the U.N. and all but a few sat in NATO — couldn’t get their stuff together. It was just unbelievable!”
What does that have to do with anything happening now in Libya? Nothing!!!
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Exactly everything. Admiral Smith's reflection on his tasks mirror the same mistakes being committed today. Then as now, fragmented command and no clear mission put our military at unwarranted risk and our nation as a meddling anti-Muslim super power.
The US should commit our military with caution in matters that directly affect our National Security. Our action puts us a greater risk than inaction.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
"Admiral Smith's reflection on his tasks mirror the same mistakes being committed today" then the good admiral should have reserved his commentary to Bosnia as opposed to applying totally different objectives at this state of engagement using air power and not ground troops.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
He's talking about his experiences. Balancing power and authority can be very tricky. Bad decisions/uninformed decisions get people killed. Some sides may have different goals than others and things can get hazy. Don't you get it? Stop mincing his words. He's got way more experience in military issues than our Commander-in-Chief or you for that matter.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
That's BS. What does the Pentagon and all those Admirals and Generals do with respect to informing the Commander and Chief? Send them packing if they don't have a grasp on world events. That way the taxpayers could save Billions for retirees who play gold all day or sit around the country club offering a WWII opinion on the same news everyone else sees everyday.
Which branch of service did Ronnie Ray-gun serve? Your diatribe infers that the President makes those decisions without consulting with the FAT CATS with all that shinny bling-bling on uniforms when they stand in front of a camera. At least Obama knows how to send them packing with all their egos and experience....
None 2 years, 1 month ago
That was for Toda, not you, mauiman.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Gotcha.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Got what? A benefit package from the taxpayers and a direct deposit check every month while people in this country is homeless and are destitute?
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Are you ret∂rd*d Toda? Seriously. You're against a military retirement now? Yeah, those lazy military retirees with their selfless service and their giving up their own livelihoods so that you may have the freedom to safely enjoy the path you've chosen. You really are in rare form today.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
On the contrary Jibbs ~ far from retarded. I'll match college degrees with you anytime. Apparently, you missed my previous posts last year when Mauiman and I discussed the nature of retired military. Retired military who are Republican have tendencies to speak out about social programs for those in America the Beautiful who have very little and live on the margins of society. You are getting in late on this discussion. Not everyone was physically able to enter the military, there are those who are from families with very limited income and have to live on subsistence. Many are unable to go to a prestigious military academy with the assistance of a Congressman. However, they sit with their friends at the country club having drinks, playing golf, and solving the world’s problems while getting a few thousand a month retirement and free medical care for life at the expense of the taxpayers. Isn't all American's entitled to freedom, life and the pursuit of happiness regardless of rank? Did you know the Pentagons’ budget surpasses all other budget line items in our nations expenses?
BTW: My father was award the purple heart three times and the Soldiers Metal for heroism in WWII along with ribbons, commendations, and various other metals for his service. I know more about the military than you think.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
I think we discussed the differenece between the honorable service you father gave to his country and exactly what you know about the military and the use of mmilitary forces. Do not confuse an "armchair" quarterback (you) and ADM Smith who has actually lead operations in peace and war.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
So mauiman what can the good ADM bring to the table with the current intervention? Didn't it take over a year to bring to bear a no-fly zone in Bosnia? I read the same news from the news service wires that you and ADM Smith read everyday. Is the ADM hovering over Libya as I write or at home in Pinehurst? I think the latter is the case ~ armchairing no less!
None 2 years, 1 month ago
And if that's all you've done-watch "news casts"-then you're not as well-informed as you may think. The "good Admiral" has been in the middle of it. Can't take his well-informed experiences away from him. Sorry.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
And hard earned.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
His Pentagon experience from when, what year? Times and events change daily or is he not retired? So where, teufelhunden do you read or hear about current events? Probably Fox News, Glen Beck, Ann Colter, Shaun Hanity, or the good governor Mike Huckleberry...and which branch of service did he serve?
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Huckabee? As governor, he was the Commander of the Arkansas National Guard. Any other questions Cupcake? How 'bout your years of service, ranger?
None 2 years, 1 month ago
What about Ronnie Ray-gun? National Guard - are they the one's referred to as weekend warriors? Just asking...Same as George W. Bush....didn't he fly over North Vietnam?
I didn't serve in the military during the Vietnam conflict or was that a war? I had no desire to go around the world to kill women and children, or watch their skin burn off their bodies from napalm just because some idiot in Washington thought it was a good idea to stop communism. So ~ what was the result of that "conflict", other than thousands of Americans dying for no reason other than politics? NONE
A close friend who was referred to as “Shorty” Jackson left Vass for boot camp and was killed days after arriving in Vietnam. No logical reason for him or anyone else who died in that “conflict” should have given their lives for absolutely no logical reason! Is Vietnam still a communist country? I think so….
None 2 years, 1 month ago
This is as opposed to our well defined mission in Afghanistan.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
The arm-chair retired brass has an answer to all of the worlds' problems. Starve those who are less fortunate than they and euthanize the rest...those without government health care for retirees and their families....
None 2 years, 1 month ago
You sure get wound up about things. Maybe had you served....
None 2 years, 1 month ago
"“What happens if the Syrians start getting the crap beat out of them by Assad?” Smith asks. “What is he (Obama) going to do if the Iranians arise and get the crap beat out of them by Ahmadinejad? This is a Pandora’s Box,"
Admiral Sir ~ if they have oil, we make conflicts our business....Geez Admiral ~ millions were murdered in Rwanda, no oil, no help. Bush said in an interview he wished he had done something to protect the innocents in Rwanda. He would have had they been a big oil producer.
Too many what ifs for an intelligent article, just one that is lopsided; what if a meteorite five miles wide strikes the earth next week? .
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Toda - Your comments are more cogent when you are attacking the new jail and the commissioners. Using the military in Libya (or Rwanda) is wrong as there are no National Security interests. Use of military force should be limited to those instances where our National Security interests are threatened. It is always easy to justify why someone else's life should be put at risk when you sit at home.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
"It is always easy to justify why someone else's life should be put at risk when you sit at home." What are you talking about? Are you over there or someplace else like on your recliner in your living room?
None 2 years, 1 month ago
LOL. I have spent more than a few years at great risk in service of our nation but not know. I do have two son-in-laws serving in Afghanistan as well as freinds still in and more than a few who served for me. As I said, easy for you, one who sits and whines, to congratulate our fine leader for taking on another undefined mission with no end or definable and measurable goals.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Toda, you are in rare form today. I have to point out, though, that the Rwandan genocide took place in 1994, on Bill Clinton's watch and it was he who made the comment you mention.
I know you hate Bush, irrationally, but you can't hang that one on him.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Davey ~ my hat is off to you Sir and I regress! You are totally correct. Bill Clinton was in office at that time. I really don't hate anyone. Bush was too dumb to be President. Did you ever hear him speak while not lying down on the podium? Giving the German Chancellor Merkil a neck rub at the G-8 summit. If Obama would do something like that, Fox and the wing-nuts would have a field day with that one.
marathonman 2 years, 1 month ago
I am always amused by the comments about our interventions being aimed at 'the oil'! When/if we have international petroleum production blocked from the industrialized nations by zealots who control it, and we are forced to rely only on our own production for all of its many uses in our society today, the outcry will be loud at the extreme lifestyle changes from those very same folks demanding the go'mint do something to save them. How are you enjoying the $3.5x/gal prices so far!?!?
leftfield 2 years, 1 month ago
So the truth amuses you?
HillTopper 2 years, 1 month ago
Everyone miss the reference "he should have been assassinated"? Gotta miss the good ole days of the CIA. Got a problem, just take them out! No fuss, no mess. No civilian casualties and already have a replacement lined up for a smoothe transition. Should have done that in Iraq, too. Look at the freaking money we'd save, not to mention the loss of lives ...
stanley10 2 years, 1 month ago
This says it all.
Libya vs. Iraq by Ron Reich
Jibbs 2 years, 1 month ago
Hilarious!
hotdiggity 2 years, 1 month ago
Does not anybody find it interesting that this President has joined the US in a war and has not even taken the time to address the American people in this country? Early on we were blessed to see him reading off a teleprompter just about every other day. I quess he is waiting to see how the polling will turn out.
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Toda obviously gets his "facts" from Michael Moore "documentaries".
None 2 years, 1 month ago
No James ~ the best news program on the electronic airways...the comedy channel with Jon Stewart and the Daily Show. You obviously are a fan of Fox News and Glen Beck, Ann Coulter, Shaun Hannity, and let’s not leave out the wacked out, drug influenced Russ Limbaugh. I’ve never seen one of Michael Moore’s movies [documentaries] or read any of his commentary. Have you - since you seem to share some personal insight that I don’t have on the subject that you may be referring?
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Toda-- It's "Sean" Hannity. And "Rush" Limbaugh. Other than that, you made perfect sense. Only folks like you, with the Daily Show as our compass, can lead us to the Promised Land. Tell us all Toda...how can we be liberal like you?
None 2 years, 1 month ago
Sorry James ~ I don't listen to either of the nut cases. As for Jon Stewart, he makes a lot more sense that does the Fox News Talking Heads. Promissed Land? Where did that come from your book of sarcasim? Perhaps you need to tune into Neal Boortz's early morning talk program for more conservative brain washing.
carlj1161 2 years, 1 month ago
The Libya action worries me too. So does Afghanistan, Iraq, and any other place we tend to stick our noses in. Outside of Kabul, it seems as if we are getting our butts kicked in Afghanistan and Iraq I'm not sure to be honest. In this country we can't even get our act together, so why do we have any business sticking our noses in other countries affairs. And we can sit around all day writing in blogs, making comments, or around the bar blaming Bush, blaming Obama, blaming the flaming socialist liberals, or the tea partying conservative jokers. But right now Obama is running the military and the foreign policy. He needs to define what our role is in foreign affairs, do what he promised in 2008 with regards to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo. He needs to stick his hand across the aisle and consult with the Republicans on these issues, and the Republicans need to respond in kind. In this country we can't even talk amongst each other without it degrading into a liberal vs conservative battle, why in the world do we need to be butting into countries where it seems as if the majority of the population already hates us.
JohnChappell 2 years, 1 month ago
To me the more important question -- over the long run of time -- is whether "Congress shall have the sole power to declare war" means that body alone may authorize presidents to use military force or is reduced to what is in effect posting a note on the bulletin board of history in the form of a "declaration."
None 2 years, 1 month ago
"or is reduced to what is in effect posting a note on the bulletin board of history in the form of a "declaration."
Are you comparing a letter from the President to the Speaker of the House the same as a posted note on a bulletin board? Another learned individual from the Neal Boortz school of miscommunication.