America did not do this alone. We have the support of the world. Great Britain, France, Canada, Greece and even The United Arab Emirates are only a few of the countries to have committed forces to end the wholesale slaughter of the Libyan people. While America spearheaded the operation, command has already been transferred to our NATO allies. We have seen what happens when America steps away from its rightful place as the world’s only remaining superpower; look at the Rwandan Genocide and Darfur.

It should also be noted that Gaddafi has had a history of targeting Americans. In The Gulf of Sidra incident , Libyan fighter jets attempted to attack American naval assets. The 1986 bombing in Berlin that killed 2 American soldiers and The Lockerbie bombing in 1988 which killed 243 passengers, 190 of which were Americans, were both linked to Gaddafi.

However, the situation on the ground is complicated. There are many questions regarding radical elements among the rebels. These are indeed legitimate concerns, and the scenario has evoked memories of America’s aid of Afghan rebels, which ultimately came to haunt us. America can learn from its mistakes in Afghanistan, and this time, we can work to rebuild a post-Gaddafi Libya as opposed to our post-Soviet invasion of Afghanistan failure.

Madmen and butchers have no place in the 21st century, and as America continues to face a very uncertain future, we must not turn a blind eye. This country never runs from uncertainty. We face it and rise to the challenge. Yes, that is a hint of American exceptionalism .