Obama, NATO Insist Gadhafi Will ‘Eventually’ Fall

As War Lingers, Officials Feign Confidence

Now two months in, the Libyan War is a hot topic among analysts primarily for the total lack of any concrete changes on the ground. Sites are bombed, offensives and counter-offensives stall and ultimately a war officials were warning might be a stalemate virtually from day one continues with no end in sight.

It is in this context that two high profile comments from President Obama and NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen were given, in an attempt to quiet growing concerns that the war was hastily entered into.

Time is working against Gadhafi,” Obama declared, adding that he would “inevitably leave or be forced from power.” Obama’s speech did not address what is perhaps a more pressing matter on Libya, that the 60 day deadline for a war with no Congressional resolution is less than 24 hours away.

I am confident that combination of strong military pressure and increased political pressure and support for the opposition will eventually lead to the collapse of the regime,” added Rasmussen. He gave no indication as to how long “eventually” will take, but given his support for the Afghan War through 2014 and beyond it is a good bet he will continue to be confident no matter how many years go by with no progress.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.