The inherent contradictions between the Obama administration’s stated policy aim of removing Moammar Qaddafi from power and the restrictions on the military operations now underway in Libya may be reaching a decisive point. (For more on what’s going on in Libya, see AEI’s Critical Threats website, which is closely tracking the conflict as it unfolds.)

As the regime forces press their advance once more, debate among the coalition partners committed to Qaddafi’s departure has focused on the desirability of arming the rebels. The rebels will undoubtedly acquire arms and some training, but any such development in their capabilities is unlikely to prove decisive in any short period. The rebels will not acquire (or be given) equipment matching the capabilities of Qaddafi’s artillery and missiles, the armored vehicles that would be necessary to advance in the face of such fire, or, above all, the discipline and fighting spirit needed to face such a wall of fire. If the coalition of states seeking Qaddafi’s departure is serious, the next logical step is eliminating his heavy weapons whether they are imminently threatening civilians or not.