The new Libya: various aspects

[Rex Brynen]

But will "just enough" be enough? It seems like Libya, with its proven inability to mount a real revolution

What does a "real revolution" look like? I imagine it's seeming pretty real at the moment to Qaddafi.

[motorfirebox]

What does a "real revolution" look like? I imagine it's seeming pretty real at the moment to Qaddafi.

I think what's real to Gaddafi is the NATO intervention that carried the revolution forward.

[Rex Brynen]

I think what's real to Gaddafi is the NATO intervention that carried the revolution forward.

Both widespread domestic rebellion and external support (NATO and Arab) were necessary, but not sufficient, conditions for toppling Qaddafi.

But foreign support for successful insurgencies is hardly atypical. Indeed, part of successful insurgency is framing your struggle to external audiences in such a way that wins support and/or neutralizes support for the insurgent regime. Insurgents who do that and win are still successful insurgencies. Certainly the NTC enjoys a great more authenticity and legitimacy from having had to fight for liberation than either the Afghan or Iraqi governments initially enjoyed, post-US intervention.

The NTC faces enormous challenges. They may well find them too much. However, I don't think that the history of NATO air support necessarily makes them less able to succeed. Leaving aside Ken's wholly appropriate question of whether this was in the Western or US interest (reasonable people can disagree on that), I'm happy that the Libyan people have a chance to try to succeed. It's more than they've had the last 42 years.