If anyone is going to arm Libyans, it should be Arab special operators, not us

Here is a comment by someone I know who knows what he is talking about when it comes to arming and training.

By an Army Officer Expert in Special Operations
Best Defense guest columnist

Let’s say someone is going to provide them arms, what will that consist of?

The most obvious answer should be former Soviet since that would most likely be compatible with they have. But the more complicated the weapons system, the more likely someone will have to go in there to teach them how to use the gear. You can’t just give a T-62 tank to Joe schmuck off the street and expect him to fight it effectively.

If someone should go in there to do the training, why haven’t some of our other allies stepped up (like maybe the Jordanian SOF or Turkish SOF) to be those trainers or advisors? This would keep us out of it, remove some of the language issues, and have no negative IO messages for the US.

But then, how long would this take? How long has it taken us to train raw material in Afghanistan to be basic soldiers? Granted the Libyans are most likely better educated, but it will still take some time. How do we know that some of the same Libyans that went to Iraq to fight against us won’t now come home and infiltrate the rebels and co-opt the effort?

Bottom line: I don’t believe we should throw arms at these rebels. Let the Arab nations step up and take on this part. My bet, none of them will.