Possible U.N.-Authorized Military Action Against Libya

As the situation in Libya quickly evolves, a coalition consisting of the United States, European powers and Arab partners is positioning itself to follow through with military operations authorized by the United Nations. If air power alone can prevent loyalist artillery from moving within range of Benghazi and other opposition population centers, it may well achieve the U.N. resolution's stated objective of preventing civilian casualties. But airstrikes often entail civilian casualties, and it is not at all clear how many civilians might die in the preparatory air campaign that would accompany any military operation in Libya.