Level Enemies--Not Playing Fields

Early on in the Libyan crisis, I argued that we should let the Europeans handle the crisis. But once President Obama stated that Khaddafi "has to go," Khaddafi's defeat became an American issue. I still can't blame Obama for wanting to let the Europeans take the lead. But letting Europe take the lead can't guide our actions if Europe is unable to actually win the war. If Europe can't (or won't) win, we must win it. We now have interests there:

The U.S. has a large stake in the outcome in Libya. Not because of its oil production but because of the dangerous nature of the Gadhafi regime—made far more dangerous by the current conflict—and because of the effect that Libya can have on the rest of the Arab world at a critical time in history. ...

Gadhafi's fall would provide inspiration for the opposition in Syria and perhaps even Iran, whereas his survival would embolden the regimes in power there to cling on. The sooner Gadhafi goes, the greater the impact will be.

In Libya itself, the U.S. might gain a much-needed friend in the Arab world. A British diplomat in Benghazi, the unofficial temporary capital of free Libya, has said that it is the first time during his many years in the Arab world that he has seen American flags displayed in appreciation. Even in Tripoli, still under Gadhafi's control, people go to the rooftops to whistle in celebration during NATO bombing raids.

But NATO is not winning. Even just leveling the playing field hasn't been achieved despite NATO claims about the effects of over three months of bombing, even though there are rumors that Khaddafi might relocate out of Tripoli:

Speaking at the Rajma military installation, 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Benghazi, Bani said the rebels were up against vastly superior firepower.

The mostly volunteer force has, with the help of NATO air strikes, kept Kadhafi's forces at bay on several fronts across the country, but has made limited progress toward Tripoli -- allowing loyalist forces to dig in to key positions.

The inability of the rebels to march on Tripoli and their realization that NATO bombing may not defeat the loyalists has led them to retreat from their demand that Khaddafi leave Libya:

Rebel spokesman Mahmud Shamam told French daily Le Figaro the insurgents were in indirect contact with the regime and may be prepared to allow Kadhafi to stay in Libya, but that he and his family must agree to leave power.

We are at war. We can pretend we aren't at war, but we can't pretend that it isn't important to win it. And we can't pretend that we can rely on the Europeans to win it in the lead.

Commit the forces to level Libya and win this war.