Sorry if I offended you, but Americans tend to whine and complain that the rest of the world should do something and always think that they are doing everything. Like WWII American's always talk about the amazing thing they did taking all the credit. Then this Libya thing happens and the US is pulling out and you (An American) complains that the US is too involved when infact they are already withdrawing. Also it didn't help you talked about American troops invading Libya, that is all propaganda rumours the US already stated no ground troops would be involved.

As for why the US and Nato helped Libya but not some other countries. In some cases like Rwanda I think the US was just to wimpy to help. Canada's troops stayed but the US was afraid of taking casualties and getting involved so they left.

I think their are a few major reasons the US intervened

#1. The United Nations, the US dragged its feet as much as possible to stay out of Libya (Read my other post). Obama kept making threats but did everything he could to avoid carrying out any of them. When the United Nation's said a No-Fly Zone should be implemented Obama had no excuse anymore for staying out of the Libyan conflict.

#2. The Allies (Nato) France had already recognized the Libyan rebels as the new Government. France was ready to take unilateral action against Gaddafi. Britain backed France right aways. The US has an obligation to help its allies out if they are attacked or go to war. What would the rest of the world say if France and Britain went in and the US sat behind doing nothing.

#3. The Arab League, the Arab League called for the US and the UN to impose a no fly zone. The Arab league is made up of many US allies. Also much of the oil the US uses comes from the Arab League. When the Muslim world is begging America for help, America needs to help.

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#4. One of the major reasons the US claims to be behind them entering conflicts is the people. They invaded Afghanistan to liberate the people of the oppressive Taliban. They invaded Iraq to liberate the people from Saddam. Gaddafi is a tyrant and had to be removed, when the whole world calls for him to go the US would look hypocritical not to try and depose him.

#5. The genocide, Gaddafi killed over 8,000 people in 3 weeks. When Gaddafi took Zawiya their were reports of thousands of protestors. However the next day a phone call confirmed that no protestors remained and the rebels had "Dissapeared" later reports came in of mass graves and the rebels said all the protestors were shot. The Libyan Government was going to do the same in Benghazi and estimates put the possible death toll as high as 500,000.

#6. Oil , Libya is the biggest oil producing country in Africa. The war in Libya has destabalized oil prices. The US wants peace desperatly so that oil prices will drop.

#7. Gaddafi, besides the Genocide and being a dictator. Gaddafi support's Chavez and Iran's President. Gaddafi is constantly trying to turn world leaders against the US. Diplomatically Gaddafi is an enemy of the United States his forces took out a plane and attacked embassies. He is known for his hatred of the United States.

#8. An ally, under Gaddafi Libya is an enemy of the United States. But without Gaddafi the countries rebels would rule and at the moment they are pro-USA. Except one commander who turns out fought for Al-Qaeda. But most of the rebelion want to increase ties with the US. The US can always use another ally.

#9. Democracy, the US is always out their to bring more countries around to freedom. The US needed to support the democratic movement in Libya. The protestors and rebels wanted democracy and believed the US would help them. The US had a democratic obligation to get involved in some way to help them bring about democracy.

#10. Libya is a coastal country and the US has several fleets in the area. The water ways are strategic for Europe and shipping is also important. The US could easily deploy an air craft carrier and get involved where as other countries aren't as easily accessed. Making it very easy for the US to get involved and then leave when they deem nescessary.

Do you need more reasons cause I'm sure I could come up with more?

In the cynical sense; this was a put-up-or-shut-up moment for American foreign policy. You had a clear case of people struggling for Democracy, about to be slaughtered for their desire for freedom. If we didn't help them, who the hell could we justify helping in the future? The argument would forever be "well what about the Libyan insurgency?"

Exactly, don't also forget Rwanda. Repeats of such massacres are unacceptable. The United Nations and international community should always intervene to protect civilians if possible.

Right now I'm watching Syria, they just killed 40-civilians in one day. We should probably do something their as well, if it appears that the Government is going to massacre its people like Gaddafi was going to do!

Being that every reason to "go to war" in Libya could also be used to justify "going to war" in several other countries in the region, about the only reason I can think of that this action was really taken is that the press coverage in Libya was starting to reflect very poorly on the current administration.

American foriegn policy has nothing to put up or shut up about.

I can't recall American troops or fire power ever being used internationally for just human rights violations.

We've used them for cases of Genocide, illegal annexation and crimes against humanity as well as possesion of weapons of mass destruction and crimes against humanity. But never for crimes against humanity on it's own. Usually we use diplomacy first believe it or not.

And how sure are you these people want democracy, the way they use the word is synonymous with Islam, talk to a few of them and explore what kind of democracy they are talking about, I'm not sure you will get the clarity you'd expect. It would be a waste of American blood to send troops there and is currently a burden on the American tax payer.

There are some intelligent folks down there that can form a decent government or at least want one that may be what your expecting but they are few and far between.

Short and sweet, what's happening in Libya will go full circle and if it doesn't then good for them.

@HS probably, this would make more sense if France were more involved, they may be afraid financially since Germany isn't supporting them.