We have seen, over the past month, several National Government's fall, some almost peacefully (such as Egypt), others not so peacefully. Libya (Qaddaffi - the person behind so many terrorist operations, whose plastic face is due to the UK SAS) will fall to a popular uprising, which will almost certainly be supported by Egypt (where the US-Allied General's control the show). Several Libyan General's have already left the Libyan Army in the East (on the Border with Egypt) in support of the Rebels (and will form the basis of any new Government).

But while this has been happening, very few Australian's (or others) have noted that Syria has been going through a similar process. The majority of Syrian's wish to be rid of their Genocidal Overlords, ie. the Baathist Party & 48 years of Emergency Governmental Power. I'm sure the US/UK would be loath to see Syria smashed straight after Libya, by France especially (which is the former Colonial Power after all) and even Turkey, which has long had issues with Syrian-Backed Shi'a & Kurdish Groups (and has also suddenly realised the ACTUAL strength of NATO).

France has a Carrier Group in the Med now, Italy is using Sicily as a jump-off point, while the UK is using Malta.

One has to wonder, why is all this happening now? At least, if the world is allowed to see the genocidal conduct of Assad, maybe the UN Security Council will also allow for a NATO led mission to crush Syria. At least that would allow the majority Sunni Country to be led by Sunni leaders (The exiled-King of Syria is a Hashemite, in Jordan), which would also lead to peace in Lebanon.

there comes a time
when the leaders wake up
and offer the new way..[a way of peace..not pieces]

a wise man sees the time has changed
that god calls on men to make peace..not war

leaders have only one duty
to make fair the spoils of gods creation equally to all

to stop the greedy
from exploitation of the needy

in time change comes
let today it be done on earth
as it is in heaven

satans realm love war and gold
those who hear gods good voice
reject war and chose service over money

choose peace over war
come together the devision is over

peace is here

if you want it

better to die for peace
than... to die ..for more war

About all that is necessary in Libya is to ensure that the Rebel Libyan Stronghold on the Coastal strip at Benghazi remains. Recognition of a Council of the Rebel Leadership (as France has already done) allows for the supply of humanitarian and other aid, as well as military assistance to flow through the coastal ports as well as through the Egyptian border. The Rebel forces in Eastern Libya consist of Light Armour and Infantry (along with a huge number of incredibly willing, but untrained volunteers) which is insufficient to allow them to take the offensive against the heavy armour of Qaddaffi-Loyalist Forces.

I'm sure the various forces involved in assisting the Rebel's will be more than happy to provide heavy Main Battle Tanks to the Rebel leadership in response for a favorable position once they control the oil. Training of vehicle crews & infantry can (and probably will) take place in Egypt, Italy, France, Germany, etc. The Rebel's will then have the upper hand in terms of complete control of the air (via the UN) and newer, better equipment than forces loyal to Qaddaffi, with better trained, better equipped infantry to boot.

Once the Rebel Council/General's oust the dictator (and control the oil), we have yet another potential member of NATO (big chance - why Russia & China have their noses out of joint). But the longer this lasts, the less chance there is for Qaddaffi loyalists to win. The extended resolution, which allows for airstrikes on armoured vehicles (which are found to be advancing on Benghazi) is the key, that and recognition of the Rebel Leadership.

As for the "agency" behind the changing fortunes of Middle Eastern "Dictator's" fortunes, I am seriously impressed with the work of Al Jazeera, which I would say is at the heart of the popular uprisings. Put as simply as possible, by:

(1) ensuring journalistic integrity (which I am ashamed to say suprised me, given the sideshow that "Arab" journalism had been previously - ie. Palliwood/Hezbolliwood/etc);

(2) providing a trusted source of relatively unbiased reporting to the Moslem world;

(3) showing the benefits that flow to the majority of inhabitants of some Moslem Countries (those that have more freedom & less restrictions, also a "fairer suck of the sav" to state the obvious);

(4) the Journalistic bravery (they have lost several reporters) to cover "unpopular" subjects (under some regimes); and

(5) their willingness to continue fighting for the freedoms we take for granted - which is, I believe DIRECTLY responsible for the bulk of the uprisings to date.

Al-Jazeera is quite probably, at the present time, ranked with Reuters, BBC and few others. It is a model of what Journalism CAN accomplish in a comparatively short time. I sincerely salute the same, it should serve as a shining beacon, this is what the media can be. Shame ours is more concerned with ratings, Carbon taxes (or whatever "Precious Pressure-Group Policy" ('PPP') is on today) and the mindless drivel that they seem bent on driving home.

It was not okay for Bush/Howard to get rid of a dictator but fine for Obama/Gillard to invade another country. Where are the call for them to be held for war crimes? Isn't the left so hypocritical.

Oh yes, the limp-wristed end of the Labor Movement, which has the gall to describe itself as the "extreme left" are hugely hypocritical. How that applies here is not so easy to understand?

The Libyan Rebel Movement/Council/whatever sought International Support & Recognition, which LED BY THE FRENCH is happening. Intriguingly, the airstrikes on the convoys of armoured vehicles (that the Libyan Government is suggesting were being driven by women & children apparently) was carried out by Mirage 2000s & Eurofighters, piloted by Italian & French Pilots (according to the international media). Such strikes fall within the ambit of the UN Security Council Resolution, but what a surprise, when the American's aren't leading the way, it is "not an issue" in Europe, they are merely European's helping fellow human's to achieve democracy.