The Libyan rebels have been complaining recently that the missiles coalition aircraft are launching at Muammar Qaddafi's air-defense systems and ground forces haven't sufficiently disabled their enemy. Now, apparently, they'll benefit from a unique American military asset: armed drones.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told reporters on Thursday that Barack Obama has approved the use of unmanned Predators in Libya. Marine Gen. James Cartwright added that the aircraft, which the U.S. uses to target militants with Hellfire missiles along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, will allow for more precise, low-level attacks on Libyan government forces. He added that the first Predator mission was scheduled for Thursday but was canceled because of poor weather.

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Uri Friedman