Is It Time To Bomb Libya?

The always-reliable Michael Petrou at Macleans has a look-see into the sensible answers to that question. He comes up with a few, and the sensible consensus seems to be: We don't need to send in "boots on the ground." Let's just be sure we make it clear to the Libyan rebels: It's your country, you're in charge, we're on your side; let us know what you need, when you need it.

The nature and extent of outside military support should turn on whether the rebels are winning or losing and what they say they need. The main thing they need to hear is: We're standing by. The western democracies have to mean what they say and be prepared to prove it. Mainly, Petrou makes clear, we have to make up our own minds, abjure neutrality, and recognize that there is a "profound moral dimension" to what's happening in the Arab revolts.

Shadi Hamid, director of research at the Brooking Institution’s Doha Center, explains that as long as the good guys are winning in Libya - and so far, they are - "we don’t need to get ahead of ourselves and talk about more drastic military action.” But there may come a point: “If push comes to shove, and we’re talking about tens of thousands killed a week or two from now, if there’s no quick conclusion to this, then I think we have to consider a different set of policy options and take more decisive military action. And that’s when we can start to talk about some sort of military intervention.”

I'm not sure exactly how you calculate which specific military mechanisms and policy options get triggered by measuring the height in metres of vast piles of corpses, I confess. But Hamid makes a good point. As I've said, we don't need to replay the Battle of Thermopylae here. Just one little drone would do. A handful of firecracker packs would be good to have close to hand as well.

UPDATE: The Washington Post reports that rebel leaders are calling for international military intervention now that it's evident that "people power alone may not be enough" to shift the hated Gaddafis. The February 17 Movement in Eastern Libya is hoping for a no-fly zone, strategic airstrikes and weapons drops. In Misurata, a spokesman for newly formed committees set up to run the town said "residents want foreign help to withstand an offensive by Gadhafi's militias." Gaddafi loyalists have retaken Gharyan, a town overlooking Tripoli, and Gaddafi loyalists that have surrounded Zawiyah almost took it last night. Both sides are armed with tanks and anti-aircraft guns. Nobody's asking for ground troops. The rebels are expected to come to a decision about outside help tomorrow.