>> they have made requests for arms and requests for a whole range of things, and on each of those issues we have said that we would -- we would consider that. >> reporter: president obama is cautious, telling cbs -- >> that's why i think it's important for us not to jump in with both feet but carefully consider what are the goals of the opposition, what kind of transition do they want to bring about inside of libya? >> a former u.s. army captain in afghanistan and iraq says mr. obama should not fall into the trap of supporting rebel leaders who simply say everything the u.s. wants to hear. >> but it's really important to assess carefully not just who looks good on television but who has the most guns at their back. >> and another red flag for this administration. back in the 1980s in afghanistan the u.s. armed the mujahadin who were fighting the soviets, and we know one of them was osama bin laden. wolf? >> jill doherty at the state