You may well be right, but I doubt they'll be worse.

Trouble is 'civilised' society always seems to act in the 'restrained' way and quite frankly 'due process' is treated as weakness by the opposition.

At least these potential despots are more inclined to the West rather than being rabidly against. They're not stupid, it's about oil and they know. A period of pro-Western stability is about the best hope - although who would want to follow our model of democracy (a very movable feast), I don't know - it depends upon your viewpoint I suppose.

To a starving man a meal of beans on toast would be a banquet, the Libyans at least have a version of freedom none of them have tasted before - and good luck to them.

The West's quality will show in the peace, not the war.