Libya’s new democratic government, as confused as it is based on the fact that most Libyans have lived under a dictator for their entire lives, needs help, and it needs it now. France has recognized the new government, the US should as well.

But more importantly, while it would be a major mistake for the US to send troops on the ground, we should immediately make the entire country a no-fly zone, as we have in the past. Contrary to what the White House might say, this is simply not a big or a risky proposition. We don’t need to bomb their air defenses, we just need to have an AWACS on duty and a few electronic-warfare planes to scramble their targeting and control system.

If I Were King, the first AWACS would be on station before the sun rose.