What the world is reading

How will the operation against Muammar Gaddafi play out for Obama and for Libya,asks Fareed Zakaria.

Time
How will US get out of Libya?

How will the operation against Muammar Gaddafi play out for Obama and for Libya,asks Fareed Zakaria. Obama stated a goalregime change in Libyayet outlined quite limited means by which to achieve it. The coalition has launched air attacks against Gaddafis regime,but they are mainly designed to prevent him from attacking his own civilians. What if Gaddafi abided by a ceasefire? There is little evidence that rebels can topple him. So,does Washington expand the military means it is using in Libya or live with goals unfulfilled? If Gaddafi does not fall immediately,it will take just a few days for people in Washington to start claiming that Obama lost,Gaddafi won,and America has been humiliated.

The Guardian
India and the World Cup

Duncan Fletcher says the Indians are,technically,a superb unit. But the outcome of Wednesdays semi-final against Pakistan will be a test of nerves. It will be interesting to see if Indias batsmen can stand up to the enormous mental pressure of the Pakistan semi-final. Judging by the manner of their victory against Australia,India have to be the favourites now,followed by Sri Lanka, Fletcher says. Everybody knows about Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag but8230;lesser players,Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina,have also made a huge difference to the side. But dont count the Pakistanis out. They have less ability but have an unusual degree of flair and some volatile and explosive hitters. But Fletcher is betting on an India-versus-Sri Lanka final.

Slate
Were Not Gonna Protest

Elizabeth Weingarten talks about why Qatar seems immune from the Arab worlds revolutionary fever. Unlike its neighbours,the tiny,oil-rich Gulf nation of Qatar has shown no signs of tumult,ranking last in the Economists Shoe- Throwers index of Arab unrest. Why has it remained completely peaceful? Money,and a small population, she writes. Qatar,which has a population of around 1.5 million,has an unemployment rate of half a per cent. And being a majority Sunni Muslim country led by Sunni Muslims,it doesnt struggle with sectarian violence. Qataris dont pay income tax,are provided with free utilities and health care. Education is also heavily subsidised. Unlikely anyone will object to that.

The Dawn
Mohali invite: a reverse swing?

Jawed Naqvi writes that the invitation extended by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Pakistani leaders to watch the Mohali World cup semifinal with him may offer the host and his guests an escape from the heat of domestic politics. But cricket diplomacy hasnt always worked,he says. Gen Zia-ul-Haq visited Jaipur in 1987 to mark the end of 17 years of suspended cricketing ties between the two countries. By 1989,Kashmir was on fire and relations were badly singed. In April 2005,Gen Musharraf visited Delhi and watched an India-Pakistan ODI with Dr Singh. It was described as a great leap forward8230;it was destined to become another tall claim.