ESCALATION

NATO Will Expand Libya Campaign

Palaces, communication centers now targets.

With Muammar Gaddafi’s once-fragile grip on power in Libya suddenly looking stronger, NATO says it’s changing strategies. When the alliance entered the conflict, its airstrikes were intended to hasten a rebel victory by holding back forces loyal to Gaddafi. But with rebels struggling to coalesce and the war headed toward a potential stalemate, NATO now says it’s expanding its list of targets to include Gaddafi’s palaces, communications centers, and other key institutions. The goal is to prevent effective communication, crippling Gaddafi and his army. That won’t end the war, but NATO hopes it might erode confidence enough to peel off key aides and even drive Gaddafi into exile.