[Cerek the Barbaric]

Exactly why should the U.S. "lead the multinational force"? Sounds to me like there is overwhelming agreement and support among the EU and UN on this issue. This would be the perfect opportunity for those forces to prove they don't need the U.S. - that they are quite capable of carrying out cohesive and coordinated military efforts without the U.S. playing the major role. That would go a long way towards putting the arrogant U.S. "back in it's place" (so to speak) in regards to its position and importance to the UN.

Also, if the U.S. DID step in, the very next day, ALL those hundreds of civilian deaths would be attributed to the American War Machine. That doesn't sound like a wise tactical move to me.

Maybe the EU and UN believe America should take the lead because Liberia was founded by freed American slaves. That may be, but that also means they are no longer American citizens. I could use the same logic to say that Britain should take responsibility and lead any military effort should this same situation occur in Australia. After all, Australia was "founded" by former Britain citizens.