I think everyone should know about the situation in Libya. But if you are living under a rock or are just completely oblivious, here's a recap. Basically, the people in Libya are revolting against their leader (dictator) of 41 years, Gaddafi. Now, Gaddafi is kinda crazy and stupid. He has supported terrorist groups and have actually committed acts of terrorism (Pan Am Flight 103). Not the coolest person ever and definitely not the best leader ever.
Understandably, the people of Libya, inspired by the revolts in Tunisia and Egypt, have rose up in arms. However, the key difference between the protests Libya and Egypt/ Tunisia is that Gaddafi has vowed to fight to the death and is not willing to step down. Protesters have been faced with extreme violence and bloodshed. Currently, the rebels have taken over the eastern part of the country and are approaching the capitol, Tripoli. However, Graddafi has counterattacked, using tanks and heavy weaponry. Curiously, the Libyan people have asked the West to not interfere, only asking for a no fly zone to help even the playing field. Odd if you ask me.
Burn Gadaffi, burn...
In the future the rebels will probably be pushed back as the militarily superior pro- Gadaffi forces begin to retake east Libya. However, all is not lost. If the Libyan people can get extensive foreign aid from other nations then they will successfully overthrow Gaddafi. Otherwise, the military power of pro-Gadaffi troops will retake all of Libya through force. Although the UN has placed some sanctions on Libya, the effects have been minimal, even negligible. If the UN is serious about helping the people of Libya, then they need to impose much harsher restrictions.
d c
I think Libya's already involved in an incredibly large civil war... just saying. Additionally, the UN will never act on Libya because China and Russia, who oppose intervention, have a veto power.
ReplyDeleteGet your facts straight, NOW Magazine.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous.
ReplyDeleteRepeating Anonymous' sentiment, Libya is, essentially, in a civil war, as that is what you call it when the people are fighting amongst themselves for control of the country in a very bloody and violent way.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, it isn't just what the United Nations acts upon, much less how quickly, in part because as Anonymous has blatantly misspoken on, they HAVE acted. Observe, Resolution 1970: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2011/sc10187.doc.htm , employing an arms embargo, among other measures.
Still, Anonymous has a point giving mention to the position of China and Russia, at least in the Security Council. Yes, this will prevent much from happening. But this does not mean NOTHING, EVER.
Back to why the UN isn't the only player. While the US has essentially stepped out of debate (eg. Lethargy throughout the Egypt situation, the people Bahrain lamenting lack of American support) to avoid looking like a playground bully, this does not mean that Europe has. While I can't see an invasion happening any time soon for a variety of reasons, the UN isn't the only form of organisation in the world that could potentially do something.
--IBI
Poor Gadhafi, everyone's bullying him :'(
ReplyDeleteThe desire of the Libyan people to not have any western interference in their country is completely understandable. The conflict in Libya truely is a matter that must be sorted out by the Libyan people. Colnel Qadaffi has lead campaigns of terror, torture and execution for decades for simple crimes like the defacing of one of the many posters of Qadaffi that are posted around the city of Tripoli. The blood of Colnel Qadaffi belongs to the people of Libya whom he has robbed of freedom and finances for so long. The Libyan people want to be able to say with absolute sincerity that they were the ones who removed Qadaffi's head not a foreign power who will be likely to occupy for years after it places ground troops on Libyan soil.
ReplyDeleteAs shown by the now 8 year long occupation of Iraq the presence of foreign troops for extended periods of time in a country excites nationalist hostilities and eventually the native population will come to see the occupying force, no matter how noble their intentions may be, as the enemy. The crisis in Libya must be managed by the Libyans and any Arab nations that are willing to aid them with only logistical support from western powers.
-Eduardo
By the way it is pretty kickass that Russia and China actually abstained from voting on the security council.
ReplyDeleteHey, "IDI"- I did not mispeak. I meant that they haven't done any thing of real texture up to that point. An arms embargo- come on. That's not acting- it's saying "keep me out of it" while pretending to take a stance.
ReplyDeleteNext time, maybe use less pointed language when attacking the opinions of others.
By the way (if you havn't figured it out) "News Vulture" and Anonymous are the same person.
ReplyDeleteNews vulture is Nathan Weiser
ReplyDelete