Hitting Khadafi

It looks like the air strikes are having their desired effect. The Libyan rebels have retaken two key oil ports and Khadafi's troops seem to be retreating in haste. According to reports, they've left ammunition and supplies behind and just, as one source put it, "melted away". The coalition has hit Khadafi's hometown of Sirte and other positions. The rebels have retaken territory they lost earlier. They are moving westward and are looking to take Sirte soon. Qatar, who is participating in the strikes, has said they will help the rebels move the oil currently in storage. The storage facilities are filled to capacity so they can't pump any more oil until they pump out the current stocks. With any luck, that might even help bring oil prices down. Maybe. All we can do now is watch and wait. Here's hoping it ends soon and the Libyan people can rebuild a better country and future.

Civil War in Libya?

Looks like there may be a civil war starting in Libya, since neither side seems to have the military strength for a decisive victory. The rebels pretty much hold the eastern half of the country and a few cities near Tripoli and Khadaffi's forces hold the rest. According to some reports, the rebels have been capturing tanks, artillery and other military hardware. This situation will probably go on for a while and will most likely cause oil prices to skyrocket as the speculators pee their pants. I think the rebels will want to keep the oil flowing so the money will keep coming in. I think the day of the Middle East despot is coming to an end. Here's hoping all the people in the Middle East will free themselves from the dictators they've been suffering under and be able to have the chance to choose their leaders and progress and modernize their countries. Here's hoping.

Al Queda Fading?

Could it be that the democracy movements in Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere my put Al Queda out of business, or at least make it irrelevant? Could be. According to an article in the New York Times, (Link) that may be happening. The protests have been (relatively) peaceful, non-religious and the protestors have only used force to defend themselves. Not exactly Al Queda's game plan. The question remains whether they will use the uprisings for their own ends or fade into obscurity and become a footnote in the long history of the Middle East. We'll find out soon enough. Let me know what you think about this.