What are they doing in Libya?
The war against the regime of Moammar Gadhafi in Libya is almost two months old. When it began, US President Barack Obama promised it would last "days, not weeks" and European leaders assured the world the Gadhafi government was on its last legs and tottering.
During the weekend and yesterday, Libyan forces continued to do what Nato claimed they would stop - incessantly, intensively shelling rebel-held cities in eastern Libya, especially civilian targets. Meanwhile, Nato warplanes from half a dozen countries have not only failed to instill any notion of surrender into Col Gadhafi and his supporters. Their bombs have missed the old dictator and killed his grandchildren.
What has the United Nations wrought with its poorly conceived, terribly executed attacks on Libya? The world body and Nato - the US-centric, Europe-based military coalition - have done what the high-priced public relations firms and highly paid Western academics failed to do. They have actually caused many people around the world to feel sorry for one of the top terrorist enablers of our time. The world agreed with President Barack Obama that justice finally caught up with al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The same world wonders why warplanes are killing children instead of Libyan combatants, including the man at the top of the regime.
When Mr Obama assured the UN and the world that the "kinetic military action" would quickly subdue Libyan military forces, he forgot an axiom of war. It is easy for a national leader to start one; but once started, it is impossible to stop.
Since March 17, when the UN Security Council voted to authorise military action, the Nato airstrikes have fostered a war, which has turned into an inconclusive trudge through the swamp. Not only is there no light at the end of the tunnel, there appears to be no tunnel. The initial optimism of Mr Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicholas Sarkozy is mostly embarrassed silence. Their assurance of the end of Col Gadhafi and his odious 40 years of dangerous rule is heard no longer.
Around the world, meanwhile, even supporters of military action have turned into sceptics, certain that Europe is making a naked grab for oil.
Early this month, British and Italian warplanes attacked a compound in Tripoli. The military commanders insist they were not targetting people - only militarily useful buildings and equipment. By a huge coincidence, some of the core family of Col Gadhafi were there, including the dictator himself. The bombs destroyed the large concrete structure, killing Col Gadhafi's second-youngest and seldom seen son, Saif al-Arab Gadhafi - and three young grandchildren. The strikes, which authorities continue to insist were no assassination attempt, missed Col Gadhafi and his wife.
In what appeared to be a response, the Gadhafi forces opened up with major artillery barrages on the city of Misrata. It is described as "rebel-held" but in fact has become largely a hell of sorts for non-combatants. What has taken place at Misrata, and what is taking place now, is almost exactly what the UN Security Council resolution was designed to stop: the slaughter of civilians.
The UN failed to authorise attacks to overthrow the Gadhafi regime, although that is clearly what is needed. Nato has failed to impose strong military attacks against Gadhafi forces, although they clearly are needed. It is unconscionable that the man who exhorted terrorism worldwide is making a fool of the world coalition against him, but that is what is happening.
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