Kathryn, it’s important to note that (traditionally at least) maintaining diplomatic ties with a country doesn’t (or shouldn’t) connote approval of its governing regime. It merely means that it has done enough to be considered a full member of the international ‘community’, and (however revolting its regime) Libya probably has done that. And is there anything wrong, particularly under the current circumstances, with the US building up additional contacts/communication in that part of the world? I don’t think so.