The Plan in Libya (in 100 words)

This article is published in PajamasMedia. The text is presented here for your convenience.

By Barry Rubin


Here's what's happening now in Libya:

--Western forces bomb Libyan government forces on various pretexts.

--Give intelligence to rebels.

--Give military advisors to rebels.

--Give rebels arms indirectly.

Goal: Rebels win war with no direct Western intervention on the ground or Western casualties. Dictator Muammar Qadhafi falls; Western intervening states say: All we did was protect civilians and have a no-fly zone! We stuck to the UN resolution.

What happens afterward? Not clear anyone has thought that through.

In a few years critics will skewer this operation as deceptive. One hopes they won't also be ridiculing a catastrophic outcome.