The protests sweeping Libya have grown in to a full-blown civil war as strongman Muammar Gaddafi responded to pro-democracy demonstrations with military force. Loosely-joined groups of rebels have taken up arms against their government, and have gotten the backing of several western nations. That tacit support is becoming more and more open as a NATO-led coalition has moved from threats to bombings to helicopter strikes. While few would argue that Muammar Gaddafi is fit to rule Libya, the looming question remains regarding who, exactly, the rebels are, and whether Gaddafi's overthrow would lead to true democratic change or simply a swap of autocrats.