Richard Engel says Libyan rebels don't know how to work weapons, defenseless without US help.

Richard Engel is on the ground in Libya and says rebels are civilians with no training, and are defenseless without US backing. They are waiting for US to clear the way so they can take territory. They think they now have the full backing of the US. Engel says without the coalition the rebels were going to lose.

He says without coalition expertise on the ground guiding the offensive he doesn't have much hope for the rebels. They need everything, weapons, training, cover, supplies...

Also the coalition has bombed Qadaffi's compound. So much for not trying to kill the man himself.

We are in this for the long haul folks. Yet another endless war.

Some other guy was just on MSNBC saying the only hope for the rebels is if the military deserts Qadaffi.

He's clear-eyed and sane ... and about as free of cant as can be.

:hi:

:hi:

one of them, when he saw some people approaching, raised his hands up and said "okay, okay" but the people said "don't worry, we're your friends, we're glad you're here". It's heartbreaking because we can't and shouldn't get more involved than we are already, but wow, how do you turn away from something like that? :(

was on CNN yesterday saying the exact opposite thing....hmmmmm.....

The charade's falling apart at the seams. World War IV. Just as I predicted over 2 weeks ago.

The next step is watching temporary allies in this madness drop like flies.

boots on the ground coming soon.

When did Obama change the policy of the USA? I must have missed that statement today. The policy before you changed it was that the military action was to prevent the murder of the rebels, not to help them overthrow and kill Qhadaffi and his supporters....please send link to this policy change....thank you much!

What will more likely happen is we will either reach a stalemate where we are obligated to enforce to no-fly zone status quo for years, which would require active involvement in ensuring that a separate humanitarian crisis doesn't occur.

Or, we will start to provide arms and train the rebels to tip the momentum in their favor. Trainers, advisers, assistants, etc.

And now he is.

if reports on AJE are accurate.

The interior minister and the justice minister broke away with a section of armed forces. But the regular army is pretty bad from a professional standpoint. Also, the loyal state forces were taken by surprise. The latter element is gone now, so it's a case of strategic stalemate for the time being. It could be either way. But I cannot see a military defeat of the old state at this point.

who now want it all laid out on a plate for them.

I have a feeling they may think they drew the short straw when all they got was a no fly zone.

I don't think so. You want to make revolution, you pay the blood price. It's always been that way. Get going with your human wave! It worked for the Chinese.

a substantial number of rebel casualties were the result of untrained/undisciplined fighters with more zeal than knowledge.

I am against any US advisors on the ground; still, I agree with Engel's assessment of rebel weakness.

And, then more troops to "prevent" more fighting, and then a "temporary" escalation (aka - surge) to "stabilize" the situation, etc, etc, until we finally acknowledge another defeat and settle for "peace with honor".

I doubt the millitary will abandon Qadaffi. I would imagine they know who is writing their paychecks.

Looks like Qadaffi is winning this round unless we invade.

not the scare stories we've been fed by some.