But he might not like a further corollary: under a target-zone system, responsibility for exchange-rate management, as well as for controlling inflation, has to be given to the same policymaker.

ECONOMIST: Off target

We already said that we will then transition to a NATO command and that our partners would take on a lot of the responsibility for the no-fly zone and striking targets on the ground.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing with Jay Carney and Ben Rhodes

More recently, politicians have had to accept debt brakes and other devices to limit borrowing and many have submitted to external surveillance by independent monitors such as the U.K.'s Office for Budget Responsibility or, under the euro zone's Fiscal Pact, by the European Commission.

WSJ: What Will New World Order Look Like?

Again, the questions around timeline and the enduring nature of our responsibility to enforce a no-fly zone would be far more ambiguous.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Washington wants France, Britain, Canada and other coalition partners to take responsibility for day-to-day enforcement of the no-fly zone over Libya.

WSJ: Libyan Raids Show Obama Doctrine in Action