A risky strategy from the west in Libya

It sounds all terribly familiar, the force from the free world wanted to help the people suppressed by dictators. It sounds good on paper, although with no clear exit strategy or any milestone as targets for the plan, it is a very risky approach as we have learned in Afhganistan and Iraq.

I think we all agree Gadaffi should go as he is mad and brutal, but Libya's future has to be decided by their own people. The opposition is ill equipped and badly organized and so far has demonstrated very littel leadership to rally the country behind them. It is a very difficult situation compared with Egypt where the protestors had managed to convert the army.

It seems to me that the air strikes can only keep Gaddaffi's troops from advancing rebel's stronghold, but as soon as air strike stops, rebel's stronghold areas will fall into Gaddaffi's hands. This friendly support offered by the Allies provides no clear winning formula for the rebels. It is a half cooked formula that does not really help Libya people.

My honest opionion is the west came too late when the situation had turned into a civil war. Now the only way to protect libya people is to get rid of Gaddaffi, but that is not a task west has committed to. The danger of this half way strategy is that they will be trapped there for a long time and libya people will suffer from prolonged civil war and air strikes. The reality is that the west should have a more determined approach, either do not come at all or go all the way to get rid of Gaddaffi.

I think the justification of the west air strikes offer little comfort, as they don't seem to mind other injustice and civilian casualties elswhere around the world, for one, they seem to think civilian casualities in palistine is not a big deal and ongoing brutality toward protestors Bahrain, Yeman, etc are ok. Why help people from all countries that suffer from injustice and cruelty. The seletive favourism does not go down well.

The truth is that the world is a complex jigsaw, with countries in different development phase in terms of democracy and economy. Ther is no one size fit all. The road to freedom and democracy is bound to be a bumpy one, with huge sacrifice by the pioneers. However slow and hopeless it might seem at times, I do believe we will get there eventually, maybe in our different ways.

It is a beautiful sunny day here in London, and cherry bloosoms and daffidils are in full swing. I can't help to appreciate the peace and simple pleasures in life and at the same time feel deeply sorry for the people who are struggling in our big world.