It appears after about 6 months of rebels fighting in Libya that included NATO forces assisting the rebels with air-strikes that have taken its toll on Pro-Gaddafi forces.  Muammar Gaddafi has been the indisputable leader of Libya since 1969 after he led a coup against King Idris and his regime; during his time Gaddafi has made his presence known with terrorism in and out of Libya.

The Arab Spring has spawned a sort of new beginning that started in Tunisia and Egypt (Bahrain, Syria, Yemen etc…) and now continuing in Libya.  The people of these nations are letting it be known that they are ready for change that will end the dictatorship hand of Kings that have unfairly hoarded the wealth and have kept the people poor and suppressed.  While The Arab Spring has developed the United States have selectively lent their support (military and moral) to the people choosing freedom.  It can be argued that the U.S. role in Middle East affairs has not been consistent; for example in the case of Egypt the U.S. only vocally supported the ousting of Hosni Mubarak.  In the case of Libya the U.S. not only have asked for Qaddafi to step down but U.S. led forces initially led the attack on Libyan forces before Qaddafi could fulfill a promise he made in killing all that opposed him.

President Obama made the decision to use the U.S. military in a limited role where no American lives would be at risk; even though the initial thought was wrong when the belief was it would take a matter of weeks for Gaddafi and forces to give up.  The news out of Libya today sounds as if the war or whatever you want to call it against Qaddafi is nearing an end; rebel forces are now in the capital of Libya (Tripoli) and bearing down on Gaddafi’s stronghold.  The word is the rebels are looking to arrest Gaddafi and have him stand trial for the crimes against the people of Libya, but do we really think Qaddafi is going to come out with his hands raised high??

I just can’t imagine Gaddafi wanting to be displayed like Mubarak has been (laying in a hospital gurney and in a cell) during his trials in Egypt.  Gaddafi comes across as having too much pride for that, he looks like he will go out blasting or he will just try to escape with a couple of million and cool out in some nation that he is cool with.

With that said, once Gaddafi is out many will ask, “What’s next for Libya?”  I am of the opinion that the only people who will know what’s next for Libya are the people of Libya; outsiders cannot have the mindset that they will come in and mold the new look of Libya.  Like Egypt countries like the U.S. and the British have to take a step back and for right now let the chips fall where they may.  That’s right, we helped get the dictator out and now we need to fall back and hope Libya will be a better place for the people.

*fingers crossed*

If there is something to be said, “It’s On Broadway” to step up and say it!!