August 11, 2011
Command Post: "Why Did It Take the U.S. So Long to Recognize the Libyan Rebels?"
After five months of bombing the government of Muammar Gadaffi, the U.S. finally recognized Libya's rebel forces. Was this the right decision, and, if so -- why did it take so long? Paul Hughes, a retired Army colonel now with the U.S. Institute of Peace, and Andrew Exum, a Center for a New American Security fellow who has led combat units in Afghanistan and Iraq, chew over the merits of diplomatic recognition with John Nagl of CNAS and me.