General denounces president’s Libyan intervention, says White House must be asked to clearly state the political goal
“Colonel Khaddafi is a madman. There is no way of predicting his behavior. What is the political goal …To provoke him into something?… “Now, I’m not saying we should back away from doing something when resolute action is called for. I am saying that, between the generals and the politicians — and the generals need ...
"Colonel Khaddafi is a madman. There is no way of predicting his behavior. What is the political goal ...To provoke him into something?...
"Now, I'm not saying we should back away from doing something when resolute action is called for. I am saying that, between the generals and the politicians -- and the generals need to be the foremost spokesmen for this -- when the president or secdef says, 'Let's send a force to do this, that, and the other thing,' some general needs to ask, 'What is your political goal?' In my opinion, the belligerent posturing of this administration has created turmoil in parts of the world where there need not be turmoil today. Eventually, if they keep it up, it's going to get us in trouble."
--Army Gen. (Ret.) Donn Starry, February 1986, on President Reagan's intervention in Libya. (P. 1097, oral history interview, in Press On! Selected Works of General Donn A. Starry, Vol. 2, Lewis Sorley, ed.)
“Colonel Khaddafi is a madman. There is no way of predicting his behavior. What is the political goal …To provoke him into something?…
“Now, I’m not saying we should back away from doing something when resolute action is called for. I am saying that, between the generals and the politicians — and the generals need to be the foremost spokesmen for this — when the president or secdef says, ‘Let’s send a force to do this, that, and the other thing,’ some general needs to ask, ‘What is your political goal?’ In my opinion, the belligerent posturing of this administration has created turmoil in parts of the world where there need not be turmoil today. Eventually, if they keep it up, it’s going to get us in trouble.”
–Army Gen. (Ret.) Donn Starry, February 1986, on President Reagan’s intervention in Libya. (P. 1097, oral history interview, in Press On! Selected Works of General Donn A. Starry, Vol. 2, Lewis Sorley, ed.)
More from Foreign Policy


Lessons for the Next War
Twelve experts weigh in on how to prevent, deter, and—if necessary—fight the next conflict.


It’s High Time to Prepare for Russia’s Collapse
Not planning for the possibility of disintegration betrays a dangerous lack of imagination.


Turkey Is Sending Cold War-Era Cluster Bombs to Ukraine
The artillery-fired cluster munitions could be lethal to Russian troops—and Ukrainian civilians.


Congrats, You’re a Member of Congress. Now Listen Up.
Some brief foreign-policy advice for the newest members of the U.S. legislature.