Barack Obama

====Libya====
{{Main|2011 military intervention in Libya|2012 Benghazi attack}}

In February 2011, protests in Libya began against long-time dictator [[Muammar Gaddafi]] as part of the [[Arab Spring]]. They soon turned violent. In March, as forces loyal to Gaddafi advanced on rebels across Libya, calls for a no-fly zone came from around the world, including Europe, the [[Arab League]], and a resolution<ref>{{cite web |url = http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.FloorStatements&ContentRecord_id=b63b7b6f-a466-ba23-dea8-7bc024f54655 |title = Floor Statement by Senator McCain Introducing the Senate Resolution Calling for a No-Fly Zone in Libya |publisher = Senate.gov |date = March 14, 2011 |access-date = March 28, 2011 |archive-date = September 27, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927155925/http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.FloorStatements&ContentRecord_id=b63b7b6f-a466-ba23-dea8-7bc024f54655 |url-status = dead }}</ref> passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nationaljournal.com/congress/senate-passes-resolution-calling-for-no-fly-zone-over-libya-20110301?page=1 |title = Senate Passes Resolution Calling for No-Fly Zone Over Libya |work = [[National Journal]] |date = March 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511121418/http://nationaljournal.com/congress/senate-passes-resolution-calling-for-no-fly-zone-over-libya-20110301?page=1 |archive-date = May 11, 2011 }}</ref> In response to the passage of [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973]] on March 17, Gaddafi—who had previously vowed to "show no mercy" to the rebels of [[Benghazi]]<ref>{{cite news |last = Winnett |first = Robert |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8389565/Libya-UN-approves-no-fly-zone-as-British-troops-prepare-for-action.html |title = Libya: UN approves no-fly zone as British troops prepare for action |work = The Daily Telegraph |place = London |date = March 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428102507/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8389565/Libya-UN-approves-no-fly-zone-as-British-troops-prepare-for-action.html |archive-date = April 28, 2011 }}</ref>—announced an immediate cessation of military activities.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2011/03/fly-zone-ceasefire-libya |author = Shackle, Samira |title = Libya declares ceasefire |work = New Statesman blog |location = London |date = March 18, 2011 |access-date = July 16, 2011 }}</ref>

The next day, on Obama's orders, the U.S. military took part in air strikes to destroy the Libyan government's air defense capabilities to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly-zone,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Id=1580433&SM=1 |title = Obama: US to Transfer Lead Role in Libya |publisher = RTT Newswire |access-date = March 22, 2011 }}</ref> including the use of [[Tomahawk (missile)|Tomahawk missiles]], [[Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit|B-2 Spirits]], and fighter jets.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/mar/23/ap-news-in-brief/ |title=Obama says US efforts in Libya have saved lives, control of operation can be turned over soon |work=[[Ventura County Star]] |agency=Associated Press |access-date=March 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828104819/http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/mar/23/ap-news-in-brief/ |archive-date=August 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author = Pannell, Ian |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12813757 |title = Gaddafi 'not targeted' by allied strikes |publisher = BBC News |date = March 21, 2011 |access-date = July 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623012338/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12813757 |archive-date = June 23, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/22/f15-fighter-crash-libya |title = F-15 fighter jet crashes in Libya |work = The Guardian |location = London |date = March 22, 2011 |access-date = March 23, 2011 |first = Sam |last = Jones |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322190309/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/22/f15-fighter-crash-libya |archive-date = March 22, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Six days later, on March 25, by unanimous vote of all its 28 members, NATO took over leadership of the effort, dubbed [[Operation Unified Protector]].<ref name="NATOPressRelease">{{cite web |url=http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_03/20110325_110325-unified-protector-no-fly-zone.pdf |title = NATO No-Fly Zone over Libya Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR |publisher = NATO |date = March 25, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110515150551/http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_03/20110325_110325-unified-protector-no-fly-zone.pdf |archive-date = May 15, 2011 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Some members of Congress<ref name="LibyaOffensive">{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-obamas-libya-offensive-constitutional/ |title = Is Obama's Libya offensive constitutional? |work = CBS News |date = March 22, 2011 |access-date = March 22, 2011 |first = Brian |last = Montopoli }}</ref> questioned whether Obama had the constitutional authority to order military action in addition to questioning its cost, structure and aftermath.<ref>{{cite news |title = Obama's Libya Policy Makes Strange Bedfellows of Congressional Critics |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/20/obama-libya_n_838219.html |work = The Huffington Post |access-date = March 26, 2011 |date = March 21, 2011 |first = Sam |last = Stein |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323083100/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/20/obama-libya_n_838219.html |archive-date = March 23, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Obama juggles Libya promises, realities |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/25/obama.libya/index.html |publisher = CNN |access-date = March 26, 2011 |date = March 25, 2011 }}</ref> Obama later expressed regret for playing a leading role in the destabilization of Libya, calling the certain situation there "a mess".<ref>{{cite news|first1=Allie|last1=Malloy|first2=Catherine|last2=Treyz|date=April 10, 2016|title=Obama admits worst mistake of his presidency&nbsp;— CNN Politics|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/04/10/politics/obama-libya-biggest-mistake/index.html|access-date=April 24, 2021|website=CNN|language=en}}</ref> He has stated that the lack of preparation surrounding the days following the government's overthrow was the "worst mistake" of his presidency.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 11, 2016|title=President Obama: Libya aftermath 'worst mistake' of presidency|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36013703|access-date=April 24, 2021}}</ref>