Change

The Russians are giving me whiplash. First they seem opposed to intervening in Libya. Then they don't veto the Security Council authorization for kinetic operations. Then the Russians protest we are going too far and seem to support a ceasefire.

Now the Russians want Khaddafi out:

Russia believes Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi should give up his rule and is prepared to help broker his departure, a senior Russian official said on Friday.

The offer -- a change in tone from the Kremlin's previous criticism of Western intervention in Libya -- will provide a boost to NATO powers who say they are determined to finish the job they started and end Gaddafi's 41-year rule.

So how'd we convince the Russians to say this? Or did we bargain away something for this concession? And if we did, did the Russians arrange a tag-team with China to pick up the "save Khaddafi" fight for a while?

If this is sincere, it will tend to undermine Libyan hopes that if they can hold out a bit longer they will be saved.