The war in Libya continues to unfold dramatically, with NATO agreeing to take over “control” of the operations to enforce the “no-fly zone” over Libya. Meanwhile, the Allied air strikes on Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi’s air and ground assets have already had a profound effect on the ground. Rebel forces seeking to oust Qaddafi from power had been reeling from the relentless counterattacks by Qaddafi’s heavily armed troops, and were poised for an attempt to retake the key city of Benghazi from the rebels. The air strikes not only eliminated Qaddafi’s planes from the skies over Libya, but the largely French and British attacks on Qaddafi’s ground forces and their tanks have caused them to stage a hasty retreat.

Because the views in the Jewish community are so diverse on the subject of Libya, the Jewish Light asked several members of our community to offer their own views on the conflict: should we have gone into, or support going into, Libya at all? Is it a worthwhile humanitarian mission to prevent slaughter by Qaddafi, who had vowed to show “no mercy” against the opposition? What should the endgame be, and what would constitute victory?

We would welcome other, similar commentaries of about 200 words in length. Please submit them to: [email protected].

[Editor’s note: The following commentaries were written and received prior to President Barack Obama’s Monday evening speech on the U.S. role in the conflict in Libya.]