"You have won your revolution." That's how President Barack Obama summed up the news of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi's death, in an address to the Libyan people. Gadhafi's regime terrorized Libyan citizens as well as people worldwide, was believed responsible for several bombings of aircraft, and just months ago was about to crush a rebellion against him.
Republican senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham released a joint statement about the event that opened by thanking the Libyan rebels, as well as America's European and Arab allies, for making the downfall of the Gadhafi regime possible. Almost as a footnote, it mentioned the United States' role in defeating Gadhafi, but simultaneously chastised the administration for not doing it fast enough.
Here's a quick rundown of who actually made it possible:
United States
It is true that in some ways the United States' actions have been a hindrance to the cause of Libyan freedom. Just two years ago, McCain and Graham visited Gadhafi -- Graham at the dictator's home, with video captured of the two shaking hands -- discussing ways to improve America's ties with his regime and transfer military equipment to it.
Despite the chastisement the two gave the Obama administration for "waiting to employ the full weight of our airpower," however, American bombers were making strikes on Libyan airfields and ground forces on the same day that French and British forces began their attacks. America later sent millions of dollars' worth of non-weapon supplies to the rebels.
NATO and Arab allies
NATO Operation Unified Protector coordinated French, British, American, Canadian, and other countries' air attacks on Gaddafi's forces and bases. Only a few weeks into the air strikes, NATO officials reported that over a third of Gaddafi's military had been destroyed. Meanwhile, Turkey set aside $100 million to help the rebels rebuild, while Qatar helped to supply the rebels with weaponry.
Libyan rebels
While NATO attacks demolished Gaddafi's forces by air, and imposed a no-fly zone on Libya, no overt ground forces were sent to the country. The rebels had to fight more or less on their own, in battles where the odds would have been substantially against them if not for other countries having destroyed much of Gaddafi's military.
Oil
The Libyan rebels signed an oil export deal with Qatar, and Libya's refineries and oilfields are prizes eyed by many.
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