Historically perhaps the most important aspect of the war on Gaddafi, is the fact that the driver is not the U.S., but Britain and France working together. The two combined represent a very significant military powerbase with their fleets of surface ships, submarines and air forces. The most technologically advanced outside the U.S., their total deterrent capability, with their combined eight MIRV armed nuclear submarines, is enough to stop anyone. It is also a very strong hand in nuclear reduction negotiations.
It is not, however, the military power of such an alliance which is its potential, but its diplomatic authority. For too long the West has been dominated by America, whose writ was the law of policy. Obama, intellectually the strongest President in many decades, is gradually pulling the U.S. back from this dominance. The effect is to re-energise the U.N. and make Europe engage more in formulation of policy, post cold war. No longer is it West or East. Thus action on Libya arose because of Britain and France pushed for a no fly zone. French influence brought the Arab league on board at the U.N., but Germany went with Russia in abstaining. All of this is very good for the health of international dialogue and will open up issues to wider participation.
Whether the intervention in Libya will turn out well or badly is yet too early to tell; more especially since the aims are not clearly defined. The new combination of Franco British authority may not survive this engagement, but if it does and it would be good if it did, it could be more productively used with Israel and Iran. In both cases it could make a real difference. The U.S. is getting nowhere with either.