Fighting terrorism, at home and abroad

Will the ongoing battles in Libya be the defining moment of President Obama’s foreign policy?

As the clashes between pro-Gadhafi military personnel and armed rebels become increasingly hostile, it’s even more apparent that there is only one policy the Obama administration should be following with regard to Libya: stay out.

The U.S. must not become entangled in yet another war we can’t win. As I previously mentioned, I authored the Iranian Libyan Sanctions Act in 1995 because I knew then that Gadhafi was a cruel dictator and a senseless killer. Now, 16 years later, the question still bedevils U.S. foreign policy: Should we go into every far-flung region of the world and get involved in their civil wars?

The U.S. government is spending approximately $300 million per day in Afghanistan.

Our domestic budget is out of control. Are we really going to get involved in another war that can’t be won?

It’s important that the Western world powers negotiate and weigh the options of military involvement in Libya. The primary topic of discussion during the NATO meetings has been whether to impose a no-fly zone over Libya. Countries such as Australia, Britain, France and the six Arab countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council have publicly expressed their support for a no-fly zone, but the U.S., Russia and China remain hesitant.

For the U.S., it should be clear that any proposal to create a no-fly zone is a sign that we’re ready to enter into war with Libya. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has warned lawmakers that a no-fly zone essentially means war and “begins with an attack on Libya to destroy the air defenses.”

U.S. lawmakers must remember that implementing a no-fly zone doesn’t mean peace for the people of Libya. If an extensive civil war breaks out, there will be civilian casualties with or without a no-fly zone. Remember Operation Desert Storm? That war began with a no-fly zone, and Saddam Hussein evaded the order by using helicopters to continue to hunt down and murder thousands of dissenters.

I firmly believe that U.S. involvement in the war and destruction in Libya would be a disaster. Instead, let’s focus on our homeland security. As chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Long Island’s own congressman, Peter King, made headlines last week for his hearings on Islamic radicalization efforts in our country.

The hearings began last Thursday. Although I had some early reservations, I think they got off to a terrific start. In this day of political correctness, it’s refreshing that someone has the courage to investigate and discuss the radicalization of Muslims in this country.

Even though King promised honest and fair hearings, the liberal media, particularly The New York Times, has attacked him as being a racist for singling out one religious group. But make no mistake about it. King isn’t laying this on the doorstep of the Muslim people, nor is he blaming the Muslim community; rather, he’s trying to figure out how U.S. citizens are being recruited from within to commit attacks against fellow Americans.

For example, two witnesses at the hearing, one a father and the other an uncle, told of two young boys who were brainwashed by Muslim community leaders to separate from their families and community. The young men were intimidated and coerced by leaders of the local Muslim movements and were trained to kill or be killed. One young man killed a military personnel member, and the other was sent to Somalia to join troops in the terrorist wars.

The majority of Muslim Americans are outstanding citizens. However, we can’t ignore the testimony or the fact that recent terrorist attacks within the U.S. — the Times Square bombing and the attack at Fort Hood, for example — were committed by Muslims who were American citizens living within U.S. borders.

We must allow King’s hearings to go forward. There is nothing radical about public hearings and open dialogue. To back down now would be irresponsible and represent a surrender to political correctness.

Lastly, I ask all of you to keep our friends in the Far East in your thoughts and prayers. Natural disasters of this sort are never easy to comprehend. Our country should stand ready to help our Japanese allies as they deal with the aftermath of this tragedy.

Al D’Amato, a former U.S. senator from New York, is the founder of Park Strategies LLC, a public policy and business development firm. Comment below or e-mail ADAmato@liherald.com.