Crisis in Libya continues, but What Are U.S. Options?

For the past few weeks, rebels have been fighting to over throw the repressive regime of Libyan dictator Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. Recently, forces loyal to Qaddafi have been attacking rebel forces with a variety of different weapons, but most notably air power. The rebels have asked the international community for assistance, but so far everyone is assessing what options to take.

The president has been presented various options by his military planners and they range from a no-fly zone, to bombing Libyan troops and weapons platforms, to arming and training the rebels by U.S. special forces. All these options depend on the events on the ground and the president is weighing his options.

The problem is, why is it taking so long for the president to decide on a course of action? It's not like this just started overnight, it has been going on since January when the government of Tunisia fell. Since the crisis unfolded across the Middle East and North Africa, the president has been slow to respond. Where are our European allies who have chastised us for years for our hegemonic approach to foreign policy. Why are they not leading?

It's time for the president to lead, and time for the president to get our European allies to lead, or keep quite when we do.

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