Clinton to visit turbulent Middle East next week

The Obama administration is steering away from unilateral military action against Moammar Gadhafi's regime, warning that a go-it-alone approach could have unforeseeable and devastating consequences.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told a congressional panel that international authorization is critical for any U.S. military pressure on Gadhafi to leave power.

She spoke as the U.S. and its allies discussed a possible no-fly zone over Libya and other options.

Clinton noted Thursday that no-fly zones had limited effect against Slobodan Milosevic during the Balkan wars and on Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

Speaking of international efforts, Clinton said "it's easy for people to say 'Do this, do that,' and then they turn and say: 'OK, U.S., go do it.'"

But she said that would mean the U.S. suffers the consequences "if something bad happens."

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