The Gamble In Libya

Whatever you think of President Obama’s sudden decision last week to overturn his initial reluctance to intervene in Libya, the coalition has made a significant, positive difference in changing the direction of this bitter war. The US-led bombing of Moammar Khadafy’s armored units outside Benghazi and missile and radar sites around the country has stopped the Libyan government’s offensive in its tracks. Khadafy is now on the defensive. The rebels have been revived and may soon retake the initiative. This is good news for the Libyan people and for US policy in the region. Still, Obama and the coalition have gambled in two significant ways that may come back to haunt them.