be terrific, but this is a middle-case scenario, where we provide air cover, there s more of a fair fight and gadhafi wins anyway. yes, that s also possible when you don t bring in ground troops. here s what i say to that, s cest la vie. we hope our best efforts are enough for the rebels to win. yes, that is splitting the baby, but for good reasons. the alternatives are far worse. i think that s the obama doctrine, achieve consensus, do the best you can and leave it be. in this case i think that s as good as we can hope for. i m on çboard. like i said, i m sure the white house is relieved. let s bring in other voices. joining mess is military analyst general barry mccaffery, also from the new america foundation, steven clemens, publisher of the washington note.