It was not so long ago that America was all the rage in Libya. During the U.S.-led NATO intervention that toppled longtime dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi, rebel forces received a series of high level U.S. officials, including Sens. John McCain and Marco Rubio, with open arms. In May 2011, while NATO forces were still battling Qaddafi loyalists in Misrata and elsewhere, the New York Times crooned that "Americans and, for that matter, all Westerners are treated hereabouts with a warmth and gratitude rarely seen in any Muslim country -- even those with 100,000 American troops -- in probably half a century or more." Above, a Libyan man stands atop the roof of Qaddafi's compound in central Tripoli waving a pair of Libyan and American flags on Sept. 11, 2011 -- a little more than a month before the dictator would be captured and killed.
It was not so long ago that America was all the rage in Libya. During the U.S.-led NATO intervention that toppled longtime dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi, rebel forces received a series of high level U.S. officials, including Sens. John McCain and Marco Rubio, with open arms. In May 2011, while NATO forces were still battling Qaddafi loyalists in Misrata and elsewhere, the New York Times crooned that "Americans and, for that matter, all Westerners are treated hereabouts with a warmth and gratitude rarely seen in any Muslim country -- even those with 100,000 American troops -- in probably half a century or more." Above, a Libyan man stands atop the roof of Qaddafi's compound in central Tripoli waving a pair of Libyan and American flags on Sept. 11, 2011 -- a little more than a month before the dictator would be captured and killed.

When Libya Loved America

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It was not so long ago that America was all the rage in Libya. During the U.S.-led NATO intervention that toppled longtime dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi, rebel forces received a series of high level U.S. officials, including Sens. John McCain and Marco Rubio, with open arms. In May 2011, while NATO forces were still battling Qaddafi loyalists in Misrata and elsewhere, the New York Times crooned that "Americans and, for that matter, all Westerners are treated hereabouts with a warmth and gratitude rarely seen in any Muslim country -- even those with 100,000 American troops -- in probably half a century or more." Above, a Libyan man stands atop the roof of Qaddafi's compound in central Tripoli waving a pair of Libyan and American flags on Sept. 11, 2011 -- a little more than a month before the dictator would be captured and killed.
It was not so long ago that America was all the rage in Libya. During the U.S.-led NATO intervention that toppled longtime dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi, rebel forces received a series of high level U.S. officials, including Sens. John McCain and Marco Rubio, with open arms. In May 2011, while NATO forces were still battling Qaddafi loyalists in Misrata and elsewhere, the New York Times crooned that "Americans and, for that matter, all Westerners are treated hereabouts with a warmth and gratitude rarely seen in any Muslim country -- even those with 100,000 American troops -- in probably half a century or more." Above, a Libyan man stands atop the roof of Qaddafi's compound in central Tripoli waving a pair of Libyan and American flags on Sept. 11, 2011 -- a little more than a month before the dictator would be captured and killed.

It was not so long ago that America was all the rage in Libya. During the U.S.-led NATO intervention that toppled longtime dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi, rebel forces received a series of high level U.S. officials, including Sens. John McCain and Marco Rubio, with open arms. In May 2011, while NATO forces were still battling Qaddafi loyalists in Misrata and elsewhere, the New York Times crooned that "Americans and, for that matter, all Westerners are treated hereabouts with a warmth and gratitude rarely seen in any Muslim country -- even those with 100,000 American troops -- in probably half a century or more." Above, a Libyan man stands atop the roof of Qaddafi's compound in central Tripoli waving a pair of Libyan and American flags on Sept. 11, 2011 -- a little more than a month before the dictator would be captured and killed.

Libyans gather for the Friday prayer in Benghazi on Apr. 22, 2011 beneath a giant banner that reads: "U.S.A., you have a new ally in North Africa."
Libyans gather for the Friday prayer in Benghazi on Apr. 22, 2011 beneath a giant banner that reads: "U.S.A., you have a new ally in North Africa."

Libyans gather for the Friday prayer in Benghazi on Apr. 22, 2011 beneath a giant banner that reads: "U.S.A., you have a new ally in North Africa."

Libyan youngsters sporting the Stars and Stripes and shotgun pause for a photo-op in Benghazi's Revolution Square on May 18, 2011. By that date, Qaddafi's forces had been pushed more than 100 kilometers from the eastern city and the regime had suffered a number of high-level defections. Two days later, NATO would announce that Qaddafi had been forced into hiding.
Libyan youngsters sporting the Stars and Stripes and shotgun pause for a photo-op in Benghazi's Revolution Square on May 18, 2011. By that date, Qaddafi's forces had been pushed more than 100 kilometers from the eastern city and the regime had suffered a number of high-level defections. Two days later, NATO would announce that Qaddafi had been forced into hiding.

Libyan youngsters sporting the Stars and Stripes and shotgun pause for a photo-op in Benghazi's Revolution Square on May 18, 2011. By that date, Qaddafi's forces had been pushed more than 100 kilometers from the eastern city and the regime had suffered a number of high-level defections. Two days later, NATO would announce that Qaddafi had been forced into hiding.

A Libyan man cradles an American flag as people gather for the Friday prayer in the rebel stronghold of Bengazhi on Apr. 22, 2011.
A Libyan man cradles an American flag as people gather for the Friday prayer in the rebel stronghold of Bengazhi on Apr. 22, 2011.

A Libyan man cradles an American flag as people gather for the Friday prayer in the rebel stronghold of Bengazhi on Apr. 22, 2011.

U.S. Senator John McCain surveys the rebel headquarters in Benghazi on Apr. 22. 2011. His visit was widely celebrated as it coincided with the initial deployment of U.S. drones against Qaddafi's forces.
U.S. Senator John McCain surveys the rebel headquarters in Benghazi on Apr. 22. 2011. His visit was widely celebrated as it coincided with the initial deployment of U.S. drones against Qaddafi's forces.

U.S. Senator John McCain surveys the rebel headquarters in Benghazi on Apr. 22. 2011. His visit was widely celebrated as it coincided with the initial deployment of U.S. drones against Qaddafi's forces.

A street vendor selling patriotic merchandise in Benghazi on Apr. 6, 2011 sports an American flag bandana.
A street vendor selling patriotic merchandise in Benghazi on Apr. 6, 2011 sports an American flag bandana.

A street vendor selling patriotic merchandise in Benghazi on Apr. 6, 2011 sports an American flag bandana.

A Libyan rebel poses next to a machine gun draped with an American flag in Ajdabiya on Apr. 23, 2011.
A Libyan rebel poses next to a machine gun draped with an American flag in Ajdabiya on Apr. 23, 2011.

A Libyan rebel poses next to a machine gun draped with an American flag in Ajdabiya on Apr. 23, 2011.

American and Canadian flags fly alongside the rebels' adopted flag during a rally in Benghazi on Jul. 6, 2011.
American and Canadian flags fly alongside the rebels' adopted flag during a rally in Benghazi on Jul. 6, 2011.

American and Canadian flags fly alongside the rebels' adopted flag during a rally in Benghazi on Jul. 6, 2011.

A rebel fighter watches U.S. President Barack Obama's speech on television while guarding an oil terminal in the eastern Libyan town of Zuwaytinah on May 19, 2011. 
A rebel fighter watches U.S. President Barack Obama's speech on television while guarding an oil terminal in the eastern Libyan town of Zuwaytinah on May 19, 2011. 

A rebel fighter watches U.S. President Barack Obama's speech on television while guarding an oil terminal in the eastern Libyan town of Zuwaytinah on May 19, 2011. 

Libyan children wave an American flag alongside the adopted rebel flag during celebrations in Tripoli on Feb.16, 2012, the eve of the first anniversary of the revolt against Qaddafi.
Libyan children wave an American flag alongside the adopted rebel flag during celebrations in Tripoli on Feb.16, 2012, the eve of the first anniversary of the revolt against Qaddafi.

Libyan children wave an American flag alongside the adopted rebel flag during celebrations in Tripoli on Feb.16, 2012, the eve of the first anniversary of the revolt against Qaddafi.

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When Libya Loved America