Salvation from Above: No-Fly Zones and Civilian Protection

Abstract

The current Western military operation in Libya is based upon a flawed and unproven hypothesis: that a no-fly zone can prevent a humanitarian crisis. Though a no-fly zone may enable other military operations or the use of other instruments of national power, a no-fly zone is severely limited in its ability to protect civilians from government repression. This is due in part to the risk of civilian casualties, environmental factors, and the inherent limitations of air power. The ways and means are insufficient to accomplish the desired ends. In this paper, the author defines the concepts involved in establishing and enforcing a no-fly zone and investigates the theory behind them. By drawing lessons from past no-fly zones in Iraq and Bosnia, the author provides insight into their utility, limitations, and effectiveness. Finally, the author draws conclusions and presents recommendations regarding the future use of no-fly zones.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 04, 2011
Accession Number
ADA546356

Entities

People

  • Matthew A. Renner

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircrafts
  • Armored Vehicles
  • Casualties
  • Governments
  • Military Force Levels
  • Military Operations
  • Military Vehicles
  • National Security
  • Nato
  • New York
  • United States
  • United States Military Academy
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Strategic Security Studies