Q&A: How would U.S. impose no-fly zone on Libya?

Editor’s note: Christopher Lawrence is a Pentagon correspondent for CNN/U.S. Previously, Lawrence had worked as a correspondent for CNN based out of the network’s Los Angeles and Chicago bureaus. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserve.

(CNN) — The people’s revolt against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi remains dangerous — and fluid.

On Thursday, U.S. military aircraft and French charter jets joined efforts to get tens of thousands of people fleeing the fighting back home as the United Nations called for stepped-up aid to refugees.

The humanitarian gestures came a day after Gadhafi warned that “thousands will die” if the United States or its allies attack Libya, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates cautioned members of Congress of the difficulties that would be inherent in such a move.

What can be done to end the crisis?

CNN.com turned to Pentagon correspondent Christopher Lawrence for some insights into the complexity of the situation.

Question: The Arab League has said it is against any foreign intervention in Libya, even though it has called for Gadhafi to leave. Is it possible for the U.S. and its allies to work around this?

Christopher Lawrence: The United States still has the ability to impose a successful no-fly zone, even without the Arab League, (but) Defense Secretary Robert Gates is extremely hesitant to project American military power into this conflict — especially a highly visible symbol like U.S. fighter jets.

Question: If a no-fly zone is to be enforced, Robert Gates has said it must begin with attacks against Libyan air defenses. “That’s the way you do a no-fly zone,” he told a House committee. He also said such an engagement is not possible with a nation the size of Libya “with the planes you would find on a single aircraft carrier.”

Chief of Naval Operations Gary Roughead indicated that the USS George H.W. Bush is still in Norfolk, Virginia. Is the sense here that the clock is ticking and it might be too late for the U.S. to mount a meaningful no-fly operation on its own?

Lawrence: Part of Gates’ comment about “not enough planes on one carrier” refers to the fact the United States would not undertake this mission unilaterally. So even if the USS GHW Bush arrived, the Pentagon would not want to solely depend on U.S. assets.

They would be expecting to use some land bases in Italy, for example, which has recently suspended its “friendship treaty” with Libya. That conceivably opens up Italy to the ability to stage missions. And British Prime Minister David Cameron has already signaled the British military to start working up plans with allies in case a decision is reached to impose a no-fly zone.

Question: What are the main issues that need to be addressed if the decision is made to enforce a no-fly zone?

Lawrence: There would need to be numerous answers to “rules of engagement” questions first:

— What’s considered a “hostile act”?

— Is it Libyans firing on other Libyans — or coalition planes?

— Would the U.S. jets be able to fire on Libyan air assets on the ground, before they take off?

There is a sense that before any no-fly zone is imposed, the United States and its allies need to answer a fundamental question: Is this no-fly zone being enforced to protect the Libyan people on humanitarian grounds? Or is it being enforced to help the Libyan people overthrow Gadhafi?

It sounds simple, but each answer can come with vastly different rules of engagement.

Question: Would the Obama administration consider the possibility of redeploying any troops and materiel from Iraq or Afghanistan?

Lawrence: I haven’t heard talk of any (redeployment of) forces and/or equipment of any real scope mentioned.

Afghanistan is such a priority right now. With the president’s July 2011 date to at least symbolically start the withdrawal, it’s hard to conceive assets being diverted from there to Libya. This is unlike say Bahrain, where the U.S. bases its all-important 5th Fleet or even Egypt, which keeps the peace with Israel.

Libya does not rise to a level of strategic importance that officials would take assets from Afghanistan.

CNN.com’s Cameron Tankersley contributed to this report.