By strategic interest, I did have the fact Libya is a country rich in oil with most likely greater reserves than are being developed. But also was that with the oil and the relatively small population of 6.6 million, the populace is "affluent" on a per capital basis. In 2009, it had a per capita GDP of $13,400, the highest in Africa.
Libya also scores relatively high on the Human Development Index with a score of .755, the highest in Africa and higher than Russia or China. The HDI is a measure of literacy, child welfare, medical facilities, and educational opportunities.
So considering everything together, the oil, the relative affluence and well-being of its small population, it seemed to me that it's a part of the Arab world where democracy and capitalism could get a toehold and ultimately flourish---a country worth gambling our military involvement on.
A country we might actually be able to influence, unlike Iraq and Afghanistan. Furthermore, as you said, we have unfinished business with Gaddafi. As far as I'm concerned, seizing an opportunity to get rid of him, seize his wealth, and banish him from public life is sweet justice regardless of whatever attempts had been made in recent years to cozy up to him.
It also seemed to me that we should easily be successful and not put our military much in harm's way. His army is small---10,000 acc. to news---and poorly equiped.
I'm curious to know what you think and whether or not you support this intervention and use of our military? It's not popular with the talking heads on either side of the aisle. |
