It's time Washington learn the lesson: Gadhafi's history shows that diplomacy with rogue rulers is a waste of time.

Obama's supporters may say America's influence is in decline, but it need not be: Libyans seek U.S. assistance.

There are three important US actions that could speed up Gadhafi's demise and stop the killing in Libya: recognize the newly formed national council in Benghazi as the government of Libya, provide assistance to the new Libyan authorities, and support the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya.

Today there is much that we can do, without a costly military commitment, to help Libyans build a better future. This is leadership the US can afford. In the end, we will pay a higher price if we do nothing.

Obama is content with deferring to the International Criminal Court regarding Gadhafi's trial, rather than taking the lead on the trials himself.

Libya, with no history of unity across its tribes and no record of democracy or legitimate government by self-rule, may well flounder and be the scene of a new dictator, a fundamentalist takeover or anarchy. But this has played out in a way that gives a great chance of success, at a lower cost to the United States, than anyone might have imagined.

Obama's decision to engage in Libya will not remain attractive to voters if it fails to result in the overthrow of Gadhafi and leads to an open-ended military commitment in a nation where our vital interests are not at stake.