If the West is not ready to intervene decisively against Colonel Ghadaffi, it needs to
get ready for a post-revolutionary Libya, where the dictator and his bloodthirsty family seek revenge on pro-democracy activists and countries like Britain.
Think of Ghadaffi’s previous record: the Lockerbie bombing, targeted assassinations like in the 1970s, and attacks on US soldiers in Germany. Libya could in future represent a threat to Britain akin to al Qaeda.
So, the British government needs to think how it will deal with Ghadaffi MK II. Its policy should draw on past examples of containment and isolation. Libya’s neighbours will have to be incentivised to bolster European – and especially Italian – attitudes. Britain, togther with Nato allies, will have to conduct Styxnet-style electronic warfare against the Libyan government. Britain will also have to seek to prosecute Libyan officials and arrest them if they leave the country.
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