Obama's Libya speech: 6 takeaways
In a primetime television address, the president lays out his rationale for intervening in Libya. Here, a concise summary of the ways his speech succeeded — and failed

On Monday evening, President Obama took to the stage at National Defense University to lay out his case for America's bombing of Libya. In his half-hour, nationally televised speech, Obama said he felt compelled to attack because Moammar Gadhafi was on the verge of massacring his own people, because Libyan rebels were asking for support, and because there was an international consensus to do so. Commentators immediately parsed his speech. Here, six key takeaways:
1. Obama offered a rationale: A "moral imperative"
President Obama's "workmanlike effort" to explain the why and how of his decision to bomb Libya boils down to this: "Because we could and our interests and values demanded it," says Marc Ambinder in National Journal. The president offered a "moral imperative" for U.S. action, placing America on the "right side of history" and Gadhafi on the wrong side, says Susan Brooks Thislethwaite in The Washington Post. The U.S. acted, he said, before the "mass graves" were dug. "I have heard far worse arguments for the use of force."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
2. But he didn't exactly clarify the "Obama Doctrine"
Anyone expecting the president to articulate an "Obama Doctrine" was disappointed, says Ben Smith at Politico. "The doctrine is there is no doctrine," or maybe even an anti-doctrine that "makes sure above all that one size never fits all." Nevertheless, Obama still laid out clear outlines for a "muscular and unapologetic" foreign policy, says Eugene Robinson in The Washington Post. Broadly, his version of a doctrine "calls for humanitarian military intervention when it is both necessary and feasible." In other words, says Jim Geraghty in National Review, it's "look, just trust me on this."
3. The neocons liked it
Obama's positively "Kennedy-esqe speech" not only "extolled American exceptionalism," says Robert Kagan in The Washington Post, it backed the use of U.S. power to uphold our values. Indeed, I found Obama's words "reassuring," says Bill Kristol in The Weekly Standard. His "unapologetic, freedom-agenda-embracing, not-shrinking-from-the-use-of-force speech" puts him back in the "historical American foreign policy mainstream." Good grief, says Allahpundit in Hot Air. If the conservative hawk Bill Kristol is "praising The One's foreign policy speeches," I guess "we're all neocons now."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
4. But not everyone was impressed
Unfortunately, Obama "did not address the fact that the Libyan adventure is an undeclared war," says John Nichols in The Nation, and he "barely mentioned" Congress, which alone has the power to authorize such a military mission. Obama also "addressed none of the calls for defining the mission’s goals, duration, or cost," says Daniel Larison in The Daily Beast. "The public needed a forthright explanation and accounting of the risks that a Libyan war entails, and it received bromides instead."
5. We're handing over control to NATO... sort of
Obama said the U.S. is handing all control of the mission over to NATO on Wednesday, says The Associated Press, but that just means "turning the reins over to an organization dominated by the U.S., both militarily and politically." The commander of the operation will be a Canadian general, but his boss, and his boss's boss will both be Americans. And the attack aircraft, refueling tankers and advanced military technology that "made the U.S. the inevitable leader out of the gate will continue to be in demand."
6. In the end, this speech won't really matter
Obama's address "wasn't commanding or inspiring enough to move public opinion," and it's not what people will remember, says Clive Crook in The Atlantic. "If things go well, Gadhafi leaves or is made to leave, and the aftermath isn't too bloody, the operation will be deemed a success, and Obama will get much of the credit." If it turns into a bloody slog, Obama will get the blame.
-
What are the different types of nuclear weapons?
The Explainer Speculation mounts that post-war taboo on nuclear weapons could soon be shattered by use of 'battlefield' missiles
-
Floral afternoon teas to enjoy during the Chelsea Flower Show
The Week Recommends These are the prettiest spots in the city to savour a traditional treat
-
How to plan a trip along the Mississippi River
The Week Recommends See this vital waterway from the Great River Road
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy