My forecast that we would be in a shooting war with Libya by early May might actually need to be moved up significantly. The US, UK, and France are now backing a UN no-fly zone resolution over Libya anddropping far more ominous hints of much more robust military action.
Air strikes against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's forces are among options being discussed as diplomats try to hammer out a U.N. Security Council resolution, a diplomatic source said.
The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. raised the possibility of "going beyond a no-fly zone," Wednesday as Gadhafi's troops pounded the rebel-held cities of Misrata and Ajdabiya.
Ambassador Susan Rice said a "range of actions" were up for serious discussion, including but not limited to a no-fly zone, which has "inherent limitations in terms of protection of civilians."
The international community is keenly aware of the urgency and gravity of the situation on ground, Rice continued. She said she hopes to see a serious resolution as early as Thursday.
It's not known what other UN Security Council permanent members China and Russia will want in order to allow the air war, but I'm pretty sure they'll get whatever they want. With a UN resolution on a no-fly zone coming as soon as today, we could be at war in Libya as soon as this weekend.
I honestly don't know what to say. Certainly the US will make up the overwhelming bulk of any forces the UN commits to Libya, and that will almost certainly mean that after the bombing campaign ends, we will have troops on the ground.
It is Iraq all over again. Of course we'll have to stay in Libya to prevent "Islamists" from taking over. How many years will America be in Libya?
Sadly, we're about to find out.
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