Is not surprising that a missile mis-fired and killed an innocent family. It is surprising that it has not happened before. The fact that it has not is a testament to the skill of NATO aircrew and the quality of their weapons.
Nevertheless it reminds everyone, especially those who are uncomfortable within NATO that the alliance is stretching the UN mandate to side with the rebels in this civil war, that protecting civilians by bombing is a contradiction in terms which imposes such limitations on the campaign that it cannot reach resolution. Therefore it should not be happening.
There was a case of sorts for the prompt French intervention at the beginning to stop the Gaddafi forces advancing on Benghazi to create mayhem. Having done that, talks should have opened straight away to find some political compromise to stop the war. It may have meant two Libyas, but the free one would than have had an opportunity to create the kind of country to inspire Gaddafi’s supporters to seek a better deal, as well as Arabs everywhere still ruled by repressive regimes. By demanding Gaddafi’s exit as a condition of talks, NATO ensured that there will be none and that it has no exit either.
Somebody soon has to get real. The Germans are fed up, the Norwegians are going home and the Americans are in legal difficulties about being in the thing at all. Gaddafi, who may be everything people do not like, but is certainly not a fool, knows that. Like the Taliban, he knows he just has to hang on. The West has, once again, started something it cannot finish on the terms it proclaimed at the outset. Soon the priority for it will be to get out without humiliation. This is what will happen in Afghanistan. Gaddafi is close to making sure it happens in Libya.