Libyan government tanks and rockets have driven back rebels who attempted an assault on Moammar Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte. Opposition fighters fleeing in a panicked scramble pleaded for international airstrikes that never came. ...
Some fleeing rebels shouted "Sarkozy, where are you?" — a reference to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, one of the strongest supporters of airstrikes against Gadhafi's forces.
Where is he? Along with the rest of the coalition, "he" is not providing close air support to the rebels. "He" is running a sometimes parallel air campaign above them.
We are actually pretty clear about this:
ADM. GORTNEY: Well, first off, we're not in direct support of the opposition. It's not part of our mandate, sir. And we're not coordinating with the opposition. Our strategy continues to be to pressure him where we think it's going to give us the best effect.
And if you still can't accept what he says:
We have no mil-to-mil communications with the opposition.
If the rebels can exploit what we do, good for them. But that's the extent of the "cooperation."
If the dreams that air power purists dare to dream really do come true, they'll be just fine.
Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh why can't our air power?
UPDATE: The rebels have retreated from Ras Lanouf, as well, according to this report. Somehow the Libyan loyalists managed to attack Bin Jawwad for hours while under our aerial umbrella.
