Anne-Marie Slaughter, professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton, analyzes some common Western objections to paying a price to oppose Gaddafi's crimes against humanity: "It's not in our interest", "It will be counterproductive", "It won't work", "We don't know what we will get", and "Let's arm the rebels instead" and finds clever wayouts.
"The United States - she argues - should immediately ask the Security Council to authorize a no-flight zone and make clear to Russia and China that if they block the resolution, the blood of the Libyan opposition will be on their hands. We should push them at least to abstain, and bring the issue to a vote as soon as possible. If we get a resolution, we should work with the Arab League to assemble an international coalition to impose the no-flight zone. If the Security Council fails to act, then we should recognize the opposition Libyan National Council as the legitimate government, as France has done, and work with the Arab League to give the council any assistance it requests.
Any use of force must be carefully and fully debated, but that debate has now been had. It’s been raging for a week, during which almost every Arab country has come on board calling for a no-flight zone and Colonel Qaddafi continues to gain ground. It is time to act".
See the link in the box