of the primary contributors of oil to europe, it's a big deal to a lot of these european nations, and the united states, for better or for worse is the security umbrella for europe. >> and, chuck, i know you're going to be a busy person. you're anchoring "hardball" and the coverage of the speech tonight so we'll all be watching. thanks, chuck. the president's address comes as western air strikes pave the way for rebels to make a dramatic advance across the libyan coast, retaking some 200 miles of territory in less than 24 hours. the goal now of the rebels, to break the military's hold on sirte, join opposition forces in misrata and march on tripoli. richard engel is live in the rebel base of benghazi, libya. richard, right now how likely is it that the rebels can now continue this advance and actually approach tripoli? >> reporter: and it's good to talk to you, chief foreign affairs correspondent, andrea mitchell, but you had it exactly