How pathetic, we’re allowing the Islamic world’s “sensitivities” dictate our foreign policy and military decisions.

(WaPo) — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Tuesday played down the likelihood that the United States would enforce a no-fly zone over Libya, citing numerous political obstacles and questioning the wisdom of taking military action against an additional Muslim country.

Gates said the Pentagon was preparing “a lot of options and contingencies” for President Obama to consider in response to the fighting in Libya and general instability in the region. Although Gates did not rule out establishing a no-fly zone to prevent Libyan ruler Moammar Gaddafi from carrying out airstrikes against rebel forces, he said such measures would have indirect consequences that “need to be considered very carefully.”

For starters, Gates noted that the U.N. Security Council had not authorized military intervention in Libya and that NATO was also divided on the subject. He also suggested that such a military campaign could drain U.S. forces away from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“We also have to think about frankly the use of the U.S. military in another country in the Middle East,” he told reporters at a news conference. “So we are sensitive about all these things.”

HT: Fox Nation