2:43pm Bombs overnight hit "near Bab al-Aziziyah", Gaddafi's Tripoli home and headquarters.

No further information has been given where exactly they hit. The compound is in the residential southern suburb of the capital city, which is home to more than 1million people.

Not clear if they were hitting the compound or something near it.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

1. force of assault on tanks so great that turrets blown off. Lorries still burning nearby. Wreckage of air attacks strewn for miles along road 12 minutes ago via web
2. standing in front of wrecked #Libya government tanks near Benghazi hit by 4am air strike. #Gaddafi soldiers appear have died as they slept

The Taliban has issued a statement condemning the strikes in Libya, saying they represent a "politically-motivated and uncalled-for intervention and adventure" of Western nations in the internal affairs of the country.

The "anti-Islamic" and "colonialist" forces don't want a solution to the bloodshed, the statement said, but rather plan to weaken Libya and take its oil through "direct invasions."

The Taliban called on Muslims and rulers in the Islamic world not to remain neutral and to help Libya to "wriggle free" and "save itself from the tentacles of the foreign colonialism." 

Reports forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi have entered the centre of the rebel-held city of Misrata with tanks. Residents say that several people have been killed by gunfire.  

"Two people were killed so far today by snipers. They are still on the rooftops. They are backed with four tanks, which have been patrolling the town. It's getting very difficult for people to come out," one resident told Reuters.

13.20 Resident of Misrata in Libya claims pro-Gaddafi forces are using boats to blockade the city's port and to prevent supplies from entering.

Russia calls on Britain, France and the US to stop air strikes against what it said were non-military targets in Libya, saying the attacks had caused civillian casualities.

5 questions few are asking about Libya - Blog - The Arabist

1. UNSC Resolution 1973 isn't really about getting a ceasefire, is it?

Not really. Even if Qadhafi were to produce a real ceasefire, which is unlikely, the rebels would not observe it: they would keep trying to topple the regime. This resolution, under the guise of obtaining a ceasefire, seeks to carry out regime change...

2. But what if Qadhafi hangs in there, and there's a stalemate?

Well, prolonged civil war happens. But it's not clear whether this is a likely outcome, particularly if there are such stringent sanctions and travel restrictions on regime officials. There could a "liberated zone" and a Qadhafi-controlled zone for a while, with ongoing skirmishes...

3. What happens if Qadhafi is toppled but the remnants of the regime, perhaps backed by some measure of tribal or other popular support, remains in place? 

... It gets more complicated in the Qadhafis are gone, both Westerners and Arabs may be ready to deal with regime remnants (particularly if they play a role in getting rid of the Qadhafis) but the insurgents may not want anyone associated with the former regime in place. So prolonged civil war is one possible outcome, yet again. This is why some kind of recognized leadership for the insurgency that is able to negotiate with whoever comes after Qadhafi is necessary.

4. What if the insurgents don't want to negotiate?

Once empowered, the insurgents will naturally want to go all the way and topple Qadhafi. I totally support them in that endeavor. But we don't know much about them, or how they might behave towards non-combatants that back the Qadhafi regime...

5. What is the most desirable outcome?

Obviously, to see Qadhafi toppled. But that's only step one. We don't know what the insurgents want aside from a Qadhafi-free Libya. We don't know what Western powers (if they are united on this) want to see.

A group of eight Italian aircraft are today ready to join operations against Libya says defence minister Ignazio La Russa.

"We want to participate as equals in the operation."

He also said Italy was "ready to take action" over an Italian tugboat, whose 11 crewmembers have been detained in Libya.

The Middle East is such a fun place.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.

-- Ethel Mannin, 'Song of the Bomber.'

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, has said the military operation in Libya called for by the UN Security Council is not aimed at regime change - adding that a "stalemate" could well exist, leaving Muammar Gaddafi in power.

The 64-year-old admiral also said that no-fly zone had "effectively been established", as Gaddafi's planes had not taken to the skies following Saturday's overnight shelling of dozens of targets in northern Libya.

"In the first 24 hours, operations have established the no-fly zone. French air planes are over Benghazi as we speak and will do that on a 24/7 basis. The operations have taken out some ground forces near Benghazi, taken out air defences, some of his control nodes, some of his airfields, I don't have all damage assessments, but so far [it's been] very very effective," he said.

Almanara Media URGENT: The city of Zintan has been heavily bombarded by Gaddafi forces today using Grad missiles. Strikes were random and came from the east. Zintan has not had much coverage recently but the city has been under constant strikes for the past 3 days

Yet more pointless violence from the regime.  

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

Reports of widespread protests in Syria.

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

Muammar Gaddafi's armed forces have announced that they will begin a ceasefire at at 7pm (GMT).

It's the second announcement of a ceasefire by the regime's forces, but one thing that might also be significant about the statement, which was announced at a press conference in Tripoli, is the fact that there doesn't appear to be any mention of Gaddafi.

Could it also be an attempt to suggest that the initiative is in the hands of a wider circle than just Gaddafi himself.

Qaradawi now speaking on Al Jazeera on Egypt elections. Qaradawi is Qatar's secret weapon.

Qaradawi: I congratulate the Egyptians & Tunisians for their freedom, soon we will congratulate the Libyans, Yemenis & Syrians.

Qaradawi: If Gaddafi was indeed a leader, he wouldn't kill his own people. A shepherd protects his flock

Al Jazeera anchor asked Qaradawi, "Gaddafi calls this a Crusade..?" Qaradawi answers "Is he the protector of Islam?"

That's a platoon's worth of tanks or half a company.

With the losses in the battle yesterday while taking Benghazi and from the attacks last night it's very possible the regime force has simply run out of tanks in the eastern half of Libya.

I can only guess but if the tanks are gone the GRAD mobile rocket platforms and any self-propelled artillery have been captured/destroyed as well.

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

Turkey is the latest state to say it will "contribute to international action" in Libya. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he hoped military operations would be over "as quickly as possible". The country's foreign ministry said:

Turkey will make the national contribution it deems necessary and appropriate to the applications of UN resolutions 1970 and 1973, taking into account the security of the Libyan people.

To this end, preparations and works are under way in cooperation with our civilian and military structures.

US military: We are not coordinating our strikes with opposition fighters

Take with salt.


She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

No.10 just rejected Gaddafi ceasefire."Our assessment is he is in breach of these obligations so we will continue to enforce the Resolution"

The road between Benghazi and Ajdabia is free of Gaddafi forces, many have been caught also many tried to flee r being chased

This is the kind of thing that happened during WW2.  One side would break-through and race hundreds of kilometers with little opposition.  If the TNC can keep their forces together, disciplined, and supplied I don't see any reason they couldn't be outside of Sirt by the end of this coming week.

Then, things get harder.


She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

The cruise and tomahawk missiles are providing the smokescreen behind which the butchers in Yemen,Syria and Bahrain are murdering protestors

4:21am As the uprisings continue across the region, signs of solidarity continue as well. Making the rounds on Twitter is this short video with the following message:

"Inspired by the uprisings occurring in the Middle East and North Africa, this film is an ode to movements striving to reclaim their dignity and sovereignty from their keepers":

4:14am  The AFP newsagency, quoting the coalition, says Gaddafi's military control centre was the target of strikes on Sunday and was destroyed.

Libyan officals took journalists to see what they claimed was the damage from a missile attack. Officials said the missiles had struck very near to Gaddafi's tent.

Anita McNaught, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Tripoli, said journalists taken to the scene asked officials why there was no smoke or fire. One official said he didn't know because he wasn't a military expert.

02:13 Almanara Media is confirming from trusted sources that Khamis Al Gaddafi has passed away on Sunday due to severe burn injuries he sustained a few days ago. The burns were caused when a fighter jet pilot performed a martyr mission and crashed his fighter jet into Gaddafi's compound Baab Al Aziziyah. IMPORTANT: We are only citing Almanara Media for this news. We have not confirmed it via any other source.

12:41pm

The Guardian newspaper's Chris McGreal was on the road today near Ajdabiya, around 160km south of Benghazi, where Gaddafi troops are still fighting with rebels. That appears to be the current front line. The rebels, he says, view the coalition airstrikes "as part of their campaign." That's not what the West wants to hear; they're trying to keep themselves from becoming embroiled in a full-scale regime change effort.

10:38am Amr Moussa, the secretary general of the Arab League, appeared to backtrack on the League's support for the coalition yesterday, saying the jet and cruise-missile strikes "differ[ed] from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone."Moussa and his colleagues had asked the UN Security Council days before to institute a no-fly zone and left it up to the member states as to how it might be carried out, so yesterday's remarks had some observers scratching their heads.Today, UK foreign secretary William Hague attempted a bit of damage control. Hague said he had spoken with Moussa, who still supported the coalition."I think too much was made of Amr Moussa's comments," he said. "I will be talking to him again today."

AS the western nations get a green light from the UN Security Council to impose a "no fly" zone over Libya, the UK Foreign Office list of arms exports from Britain suggests that the UK has done much to help Gaddafi's forces fly (and drop bombs) in the first place.

In 2005, the UK licensed the sale of £29.5m worth of "military transport aircraft" to the colonel; and in 2009 and 2010 licensed the sale of "bombing computers" and "military aircraft ground equipment" too.

In addition, between 2005 and 2007, sales of armoured all-wheel drive vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, night vision goggles and water cannon got the go-ahead.

The biggest shipments (and most alarming ones, given how Gaddafi's forces are repressing the population) suggest that the exports didn't even help boost British manufacturing. In 2007, for example, a job lot of "anti-riot shields, body armour, anti-riot guns, crowd control ammunition, smoke ammunition, tear gas/irritant ammunition, smoke hand grenades & CS hand grenades" were licensed for export to Libya by British businessmen. The materials, however, were from Serbia.

In 2005, a £41m package of battlefield weapons, including heavy machine guns, armour for tanks, day and night sights for weapons and military image intensifier equipment, originally from the Ukraine, was also licensed.

4:30pm

Libyan rebels say pro-Gaddafi troops in Misurata are using a number of civilians from neighbouring towns as human shields.

This was to be expected...

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

Libya Live Blog - March 21 | Al Jazeera Blogs

4:12pm

Libyan opposition National Council says eastern gate of Ajdabiya has been recaptured.

One of the Western fronts:
Libya Live Blog - March 21 | Al Jazeera Blogs

4:01pm There are reports of heavy shelling by pro-Gaddafi troops in western city of Zintan.

...

2:28pm Swiss journalist Gaetan Vannay has been in the western city of Zintan for the past nine days and says the eastern outskirts of the city are currently under fire and have been since yesterday.

1. Sources close to #Yemen president tell me if he leaves now it will descend into 'Yemenistan' 2 minutes ago via Twitter for iPhone
2. Lots of speculation #Yemen President Saleh will step down within hours. If so, his supporters will be looking at facesaving exit

"The warlord Sarkozy [the French president] wants to 'Arabise' the coalition against Colonel Gaddafi," writes journalist Arnaud Leparmentier in a blog hosted by France's Le Monde website (in French). "This is his first war... He wants to follow in the footsteps of [former President] Jacques Chirac, the defender of the Arab peoples, not those of George W Bush... However, the Arab League seemed to be backtracking Sunday, and the Arab public are worried about bombardments carried out by what is not an international coalition, but essentially a US-Franco-British one. On Sunday evening, he called Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, emir of Abu Dhabi, to encourage him to participate in the coalition."

HOW did Mutassim Gaddafi, the fourth son of the Libyan dictator and now the country's detested "national security adviser", get where he is today? Only with the considerable help of blue chip western management consultants who employ the cream of Britain's spies.

Monitor Group, the global management consultancy that has been working for Libya since 2006, has already been criticised for its PR for the regime, which included paying such "thinkers" as Anthony Giddens, the man who so inspired Tony Blair, to meet Colonel Gaddafi and say nice things about him.

But Monitor, which hired the former head of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove, and the MI6 agent-turned-BP adviser Sir Mark Allen, also helped Libya build the security and intelligence apparatus which is now being turned against its own people with such bloody effect. As parallels go, it's as if 007 and "C" had retired and gone to work for Dr No's advisers.

School for despots
Mutassim Gaddafi and the National Security Council he oversees are a pillar of the Libyan regime - thanks in no small part to Monitor. Not only did its suits mentor the trainee despot; they even discussed with MI6, the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office the possibility of sending him on bespoke "educational" visits to Britain to learn how to deal with such problems as "dissent and extremism". This proposed personal "Draft National Security Syllabus" also included a visit to the Cabinet Office. While the Foreign Office and MoD told Private Eye these visits were indeed "mooted", they did not in the end take place.

A small group of protestors, headed by the son of former Yugoslav President Josif Broz Tito, rallied in Belgrade on Sunday brandishing posters in support of the Libyan strongman, while allied forces launched a second wave of airstrikes on the country.

Meanwhile, in Albania and Kosovo political leaders rushed to praise the western-backed intervention, drawing parallels with NATO air strikes against Slobodan Milosevic, and offered assistance to allied forces.    

Observers note that the picture emerging from the Balkans, as the air campaign against Gaddafi forces intensifies, reflects political grievances over western intervention but also a dose of pragmatism.

Robert Fisk in his inimitable way describes the ironies and dilemmas waiting for the coalition:

And let's not be fooled by what the UN resolution really means. Yet again, it's going to be regime-change. And just as in Iraq - to use one of Tom Friedman's only memorable phrases of the time - when the latest dictator goes, who knows what kind of bats will come flying out of the box?

... So here are a few things that could go wrong, a sidelong glance at those bats still nestling in the glistening, dank interior of their box. Suppose Gaddafi clings on in Tripoli and the British and French and Americans shoot down all his aircraft, blow up all his airfields, assault his armour and missile batteries and he simply doesn't fade away. I noticed on Thursday how, just before the UN vote, the Pentagon started briefing journalists on the dangers of the whole affair; that it could take "days" just to set up a no-fly zone.

... We talk now about the need to protect "the Libyan people", no longer registering the Senoussi, the most powerful group of tribal families in Benghazi, whose men have been doing much of the fighting. King Idris, overthrown by Gaddafi in 1969, was a Senoussi. The red, black and green "rebel" flag - the old flag of pre-revolutionary Libya - is in fact the Idris flag, a Senoussi flag. Now let's suppose they get to Tripoli (the point of the whole exercise, is it not?), are they going to be welcomed there? Yes, there were protests in the capital. But many of those brave demonstrators themselves originally came from Benghazi. What will Gaddafi's supporters do? "Melt away"? Suddenly find that they hated Gaddafi after all and join the revolution? Or continue the civil war?

And what if the "rebels" enter Tripoli and decide Gaddafi and his crazed son Saif al-Islam should meet their just rewards, along with their henchmen? Are we going to close our eyes to revenge killings, public hangings, the kind of treatment Gaddafi's criminals have meted out for many a long year? I wonder. Libya is not Egypt.

... It is all wearingly familiar. And now we are back at it again, banging our desks in spiritual unity. We don't have many options, do we, unless we want to see another Srebrenica? But hold on. Didn't that happen long after we had imposed our "no-fly" zone over Bosnia?

geo-magazine reporter Gabriele Riedle visited the country recently and comes away with a completely different assessment of the situation. Basically, she saw a power struggle between factions and tribes.

What do the demonstrators want? The surprising answer of the journalist: "I haven't met a single person who talks of democracy." The reflex of the West to think of the protest as good and bringing democracy is nothing more than "wishful thinking à la CNN" says Riedle and believes instead that the protests are more about a redistribution of power.

... What does the power struggle mean for the future of the country and social progress? And does the ouster of Gadaffi solve the problems? Gabriele Riedle's answer is less than optimistic. "What's supposed to get better? The privileges will be gone as well as the benefits and women will be afraid that the country will turn more fundamentalist." The protests have gained their own dynamic that have nothing to do with political intentions. "Someone shoots, then there is grief and then there is more shooting."

... An assessment that is shared by the Northern-Africa expert Thomas Hasel of the Otto-Suhr Institute. Especially the strong rivalries between tribes would make it difficult to "pull something new out of the hat." Additionally, there are no alternative parties (in contrast to Egypt) and no structures of civil society such as associations since they are forbidden.

I fear the Libya crisis has resurrected (at least for a short time) the unholy alliance of liberal do-gooders and trigger-happy right-wingers that achieved so much mischief in Afghanistan and Iraq. And we're already seeing how they are pouring more fodder into the conflict. France is apparently delivering heavy weapons to the rebels - isn't there some arms embargo in place? This could turn into a long-running civil war between East and West with its attendant refugee crisis. I don't want to imagine what kind of new monsters will be born out this.

One lesson to take away from the Iraq and Afghanistan disaster was to learn how to let go. The Middle East is on its own path and a beneficial outcome and history cannot be engineered. Instead, the old cliches of 'impending genocide' and 'bad dictators who will be overthrown by democratically minded people' are dusted off for their final performance.

I hope this goes well. But there is the primary difficulty. What does "well" mean? It's very hard to win a war when you don't define 'victory'. Monsieur Le President Hyperactif probably has no mind for that.

The age of interventions is over.

Zenga, zenga!

_______________________________________________

Ulrich Ladurner's post on "Die Zeit"'s site poses five questions worth pondering:

1. What if the no fly zone doesn't work and Gadaffi takes Bengazhi anyway?
   Flying air support for rebels in Bengazhi (indefinitely?) is not covered by the resolution. Or will they have to send in ground troops?


2. What if the rebels win and commit massacres in Tripolis?
   The rebels are against Gadaffi. That's about the only thing we know. The West has a long history of supporting unsavory rebel groups such as the UCK in Kosovo and the Mujahedin in Afghanistan.


3. What happens if there is a military stalemate?
   That could split the country. An inherently unstable situation. Wouldn't Gadaffi have to be chased out anyway with additional military power because of the uncertainty? Who wants to monitor Western and Eastern Libya for an indefinite time?


4. What if Libya drifts into anarchy?
   Afghanistan in the 90's is the template. A failed state. Soon enough the Europeans would have to wonder: who is going to rebuild that place? Recent experiences show we're not very good at that.


5. Who is actually for this war?
   NATO members are arguing among themselves. The US don't want to take the lead. Germany is staying out. Katar is sending four planes (where are they?). The Arab League (with all the remaining despots as members) gave the green light but immediately criticized the attacks. Only Cameron and Sarkozy are really hot for this war.

Ahmad Al Obaidi, member of the February 17th Revolutionary Coalition told Gulf News that militiamen and mercenaries reached Benghazi in scores yesterday looking for food and medical treatment.

"The soldiers claimed that they have defected from Gaddafi's command and would like to join the revolutionaries if accepted. Most of them were in a miserable condition with wounds and fractures and were looking tfor medical treatment," Al Obaidi said.

He added that the revolutionaries will offer them the help they need according to international conventions, but will hold mercenaries accountable for the crimes committed against the Libyan people.

1. @USAfricaCommand be advised, one of your WEASEL's F-16CJ from 23th FS Spangdahlem Germany has his transponder Mode-S on! NOT secure! about 13 hours ago via web
2. PSYOPS is is airborne again! USAF EC-130J tail nr 00-1934 callsign STEEL 74 in orbit near Libya at FL250 #Libya #OdysseyDawn

FMC the Netherlands (FMCNL) on Twitter

1. Mission switch, USAF is RTB, French Air Force is coming up, first one is MARC 36, a Stratotanker C-135FR tail nr 497 #Libya #OdysseyDawn about 12 hours ago via web
2. Hmmm, second fighter showing his ID, a USAF F-15E from 494FS Lakenheath UK, I presume Gadhafis radar equipment has destroyed :o)

8:53pm

Italy warns that it will review the use of its bases by coalition forces for strikes against Libya if the mission doesn't pass to NATO's command.

In all the discussion about the current U.S. bombing of Libya, something important has gone almost unnoticed--the lesson the United States is teaching the government of every country on earth. That lesson is: no matter what, no matter the inducements or pressure, never ever give up chemical weapons or a nuclear weapons program.

Via Family: Any male above the age of 16 has been killed, kidnapped, missing, or they've escaped Zawiyah

It appears that "the international community" has sided with the rebels - this includes the Arab League, crucially.

However, the rebels have indicated they want "no foreign boots on the ground" - this has been respected by the UNSC which prohibits foreign occupation forces. Question: is Gaddafi's use of foreign mercenaries a violation of this? Will the rebels be aided by foreign volunteers?

The no-fly zone is justified by the perception that air strikes are mostly indiscriminate and were being used by Gaddafi to target civilians. There are even allegations already the the "allied" air strikes enforcing the no-fly zone have hit civilians, too, even if they were targeted at Gaddafi's military forces. Evidently the no-fly zone nullifies one of Gaddafi's advantages (behavioural if not material - Gaddafi seemed willing to bomb cities and there had been defections of pilots with their aircraft out of Gaddsfi's ranks so it's not clear whether the rebels had any planes or would in the future acquire more).

Now for the arms embargo. This is a favourite measure to impose on armed conflicts. It was used in the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s.

I have mixed feelings about both the no-fly zones and the arms embargos because they just tend to drag conflicts out longer. It appears that the aggressor in most cases is the side with a weaker political position but a stronger military position. So an arms embargo does not allow the militarily weaker side to build up forces to defend itself and eventually counterattack and win. This happened during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-9. The Republic was hamstrung by the arms embargo and the official neutrality of the League of Nations, and the war dragged on for 3 years and ended up being a proxy war between the Soviet Union on the one hand and the German/Italian axis on the other. Franco led a scorched earth strategy, purging his rearguard, laying siege to cities for years and dragging out the conflict to ensure the maximum amount of destruction - his goal was not merely victory but extermination of the Republicans.

I'm afraid that in Libya we'll end up seeing the same. Gaddafi can bankroll a mercenary army, has extensive connections with arms dealers, no qualms about violating the arms embargo, and the character and motivation for a scorched-earth campaign. Whether he wins or not, this will be a dragged out, brutal war, partly because of things like the arms embargo.

So, in what may be my last act of "advising", I'll advise you to cut the jargon. -- My old PhD advisor, to me, 26/2/11

UK sources suggesting command of operation might be taken by a hybrid - not a straight NATO operation but using their structures

Laura Kuenssberg (BBCLauraK) on Twitter

NATO meeting now to hammer out structure but 'it s difficult' - particularly getting Turks on board-they weren't invited to Paris summit

Why is Libya so different? Basically, because the dictators of Yemen, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia -- also Jordan and the Persian Gulf sheikdoms, for that matter -- are friendly, cooperative and useful. Gaddafi is not.

EXCLUSIVE:  An attack on the compound of Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi on Sunday had to be curtailed because of journalists nearby, Fox News has learned.

British sources confirmed that seven Storm Shadow missiles were ready to be fired from a British aircraft, but the strikes had to be curtailed due to crews from CNN, Reuters and other organizations nearby. Officials from Libya's Ministry of Information brought those journalists to the area to show them damage from the initial attack and to effectively use them as human shields.

The curtailment of this mission led to a great deal of consternation by coalition commanders, sources told Fox News, but they opted to call off the mission to avoid civilian casualties.

ABU DHABI // The UAE is not deploying military forces to Libya because of disagreements with the west over Bahrain, the former commander of the Air Force said yesterday.

Maj Gen Khaled al Bu-Ainnain said the disagreement stems from a conviction in the Gulf that Iran is interfering in Bahrain's affairs, and instigating protesters. He added that Bahrain's security is a priority for the Gulf and the UAE.

The Gulf countries are certain that Iran is involved in the protests in Bahrain, he said.

"The GCC is supporting Bahrain, and they were not happy at all with the European and American attitude," he said. "They think it's a matter of a civil movement, a matter of democracy. It is much beyond it."

He continued: "What's going on in Bahrain is much beyond our western allies to understand it. It is a complete conspiracy of the Iranians in the region."

Gen al Bu-Ainnain also said the main reason for the UAE's decision not to deploy troops to Libya is "because the Europeans and Americans in particular don't realise the amount of the threat available in Bahrain".

If UK and France led the push for the "no fly zone" and Obama went along, does that make him Cameron and Sarkozy's poodle?

U.S. military operations in Libya could wipe out a significant chunk of the budget cuts won by congressional Republicans in recent weeks, defense analysts say. 

GOP leaders have trumpeted enacted spending reductions that amount to more than $285 million per day since the beginning of March. 

The air strikes on Libya are, under the terms of the UN resolution, supposedly intended to protect civilians and result in a negotiated settlement between Colonel Gaddafi and the rebels. This has resulted in some controversy, as air strikes devastated Gaddafi's compound - Bab El-Azizia, the presidential palace abutting military barracks in Tripoli. The defence secretary Liam Fox has insisted, against British army opposition, that Gaddafi would be a legitimate target of air strikes. Assassination, whatever else may be said about it, would leave Gaddafi unavailable for negotiations. But a "compound" - what could be wrong with bombing such a facility?

In situations like this, the usual affective repertoire is unleashed. Gaddafi is a "Mad Dog", the Sun, the Mirror, the Star and the Daily Record inform us - an epithet first applied by Ronald Reagan when the latter bombed Gaddafi's compound, among other targets, in 1986. He is "barking mad", they say. Jon Henley in the Guardian went further - not just "barking mad", but "foaming at the mouth". "Cowardly Colonel Gaddafi," the Sun almost alliterated.

@RumsfeldOffice: There's a reason Gadhafi isn't contemplating using a nuclear/radiological weapon today: He saw what happened to Saddam.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

The regime has plenty of heavy weapons and the revolutionaries don't.  Until some kind of parity is achieved, or the revolutionaries learn advanced small unit tactics, they're going to sit outside Ajdabiya.

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre