Libya: Unrest and U.S
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Discussion Paper: Libya and R2P and Regime Change
Thinking About Libya, the Responsibility to Protect and Regime Change: A “Lessons Learned” Discussion Paper Robin Collins October, 2011 This discussion paper on the application of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine in Libya is intended to stimulate dialogue among members of the World Federalist Movement – Canada (WFMC) and other R2P advocates. We begin with the assumption that there was a real need for the international community to respond to the threats and behaviour of the Libyan government of Moammar Gaddafi. In the circumstances, the UN Security Council resolutions that followed Gaddafi‘s actions, resolutions 1970 and 1973, and then resolution 2009 which recognized the National Transitional Council after the fall of Gaddafi, were appropriate responses to the crisis. There was explicit reference to a responsibility to protect civilians and civilian areas. The International Criminal Court was referenced (in resolutions 1970, 1973 and 2009). There was demand for a ceasefire, to diplomatic channels being opened, to dialogue towards political reform (resolution1973), and to an arms embargo and freezing of assets. In resolution 1973 “all necessary measures” were authorized, as was a no-fly zone to protect Libyan civilians, including those in Benghazi. However, there were many rough edges and a fair amount of (intended?) ambiguity. These topics are important to explore so that we are clear about where mandates were followed, or violated. Our goal is to strengthen the R2P doctrine so that it becomes a reliable new normative framework for future international diplomacy and protection of civilians. The experience of application in Libya will impact future efforts by the United Nations to invoke R2P. -
Libya's Other Battle | the Washington Institute
MENU Policy Analysis / PolicyWatch 2295 Libya's Other Battle by Andrew Engel, Ayman Grada Jul 28, 2014 ABOUT THE AUTHORS Andrew Engel Andrew Engel, a former research assistant at The Washington Institute, recently received his master's degree in security studies at Georgetown University and currently works as an Africa analyst. Ayman Grada Ayman Grada is an independent political analyst and cofounder of Libyan Youth Voices. Brief Analysis The escalation in and around Tripoli holds troubling parallels with the tribal divisions that precipitated Libya's bloody 1936 civil war. ibya is a fractured country whose long-simmering violence is threatening to boil over. Internecine fighting L once mostly limited to Benghazi -- where Maj. Gen. Khalifa Haftar launched "Operation Dignity" against U.S.- designated terrorist group Ansar al-Sharia and other armed Islamists -- has now spread to Tripoli. The U.S. embassy was hurriedly evacuated on July 26, and foreign governments have urged their nationals to flee the country. The Tripoli fighting erupted on July 12, pitting largely Islamist militias from the Muslim Brotherhood stronghold of Misratah and their northwestern allies against well-equipped and trained nationalist brigades from Zintan. The latter factions -- the Qaaqaa, Sawaiq, and Madani Brigades -- are tribal and back the more secular-leaning political alliance, the National Forces Alliance (NFA), but ostensibly belong to the Libyan army. The Misratan and Islamist militias have since bombarded Tripoli International Airport, which has been held by Zintani forces since the revolution ended. This battle -- in which 90 percent of aircraft on the ground were destroyed, costing over $1.5 billion -- marks a dark turn for Libya, increasing the likelihood of the country repeating its brutal 1936 intertribal civil war. -
Violent Extremism and Insurgency in Libya: a Risk Assessment
VIOLENT EXTREMISM AND INSURGENCY IN LIBYA: A RISK ASSESSMENT JULY 1, 2013 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Guilain Denoeux, Management Systems International. VIOLENT EXTREMISM AND INSURGENCY IN LIBYA: A RISK ASSESSMENT Contracted under AID-OAA-TO-11-00051 Democracy and Governance and Peace and Security in the Asia and Middle East This paper was written by Dr. Guilain Denoeux, Professor of Government at Colby College and Senior Associate at Management Systems International. Dr. Denoeux is an expert on the comparative politics of the Middle East, democratization and violent extremism, and co-authored (with Dr. Lynn Carter) the USAID Guide to the Drivers of Violent Extremism (2009). DISCLAIMER The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. CONTENTS Acronyms .................................................................................................................................... i Map ........................................................................................................................................... iii Executive Summary....................................................................................................................1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 4 Spring 2012-Spring 2013 VE Highlights -
International Medical Corps in Libya from the Rise of the Arab Spring to the Fall of the Gaddafi Regime
International Medical Corps in Libya From the rise of the Arab Spring to the fall of the Gaddafi regime 1 International Medical Corps in Libya From the rise of the Arab Spring to the fall of the Gaddafi regime Report Contents International Medical Corps in Libya Summary…………………………………………… page 3 Eight Months of Crisis in Libya…………………….………………………………………… page 4 Map of International Medical Corps’ Response.…………….……………………………. page 5 Timeline of Major Events in Libya & International Medical Corps’ Response………. page 6 Eastern Libya………………………………………………………………………………....... page 8 Misurata and Surrounding Areas…………………….……………………………………… page 12 Tunisian/Libyan Border………………………………………………………………………. page 15 Western Libya………………………………………………………………………………….. page 17 Sirte, Bani Walid & Sabha……………………………………………………………………. page 20 Future Response Efforts: From Relief to Self-Reliance…………………………………. page 21 International Medical Corps Mission: From Relief to Self-Reliance…………………… page 24 International Medical Corps in the Middle East…………………………………………… page 24 International Medical Corps Globally………………………………………………………. Page 25 Operational data contained in this report has been provided by International Medical Corps’ field teams in Libya and Tunisia and is current as of August 26, 2011 unless otherwise stated. 2 3 Eight Months of Crisis in Libya Following civilian demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt, the people of Libya started to push for regime change in mid-February. It began with protests against the leadership of Colonel Muammar al- Gaddafi, with the Libyan leader responding by ordering his troops and supporters to crush the uprising in a televised speech, which escalated the country into armed conflict. The unrest began in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, with the eastern Cyrenaica region in opposition control by February 23 and opposition supporters forming the Interim National Transitional Council on February 27. -
China's Engagement in the Libyan Civil War As A
ISSN 2057-1461 LSE Global South Unit When the outcome of the civil war became foreseeable, Beijing nevertheless maintained an ambiguous stance on the NTC’s legitimacy. Even after Russia had recognized the NTC as the WORKING PAPER SERIES sole legitimate authority in Libya following the US, UK and France, Beijing asseverated that China’s recognition of the legitimacy of the rebel government in Tripoli should only be forthcoming after conditions had matured. China did not recognise the NTC’s legitimacy until 12 September, once conditions suciently mature in Beijing’s eyes had been forthcoming. In the communication that informed the NTC of China’s decision to recognise its legitimacy, Beijing declared that China respects the choice of the Libyan people, highly values NTC’s important position and role (in Libya), and wishes to maintain contact with it. It also conrmed that China hopes the new regime will continue to honour the contracts China signed with Gadda and will actually put them into practice. As the last member of the UN Security Council to recognise their legitimacy, of course the heads of the NTC were glad to hear of China’s decision and welcomed its participation in Libya’s reconstruction (Chinese Foreign Aairs Ministry, 2011). e rebels broadcast mixed signals, however, on China’s role in Libya in the post-civil war period. Abdul Haz Ghoga, then vice-president of the NTC, said he hoped China would play a role in Libya’s reconstruction and praised China-Libya cooperation. After the 42-year rule of Gadda, Libya needs China more than ever, Ghoga added (Li Zhi, 2011). -
The Tide Turns
November 2011 Anthony Bell, Spencer Butts, and David Witter THE LIBYAN REVOLUTION THE TIDE TURNS PART 4 Photo Credit: Fighters for Libya’s interim government rejoice after winning control of the Qaddafi stronghold of Bani Walid, via Wikimedia Commons. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ©2011 by the Institute for the Study of War. Published in 2011 in the United States of America by the Institute for the Study of War. 1400 16th Street NW, Suite 515 Washington, DC 20036. http://www.understandingwar.org Anthony Bell, Spencer Butts, and David Witter THE LIBYAN REVOLUTION THE TIDE TURNS PART 4 ABOUT THE AUTHORS Anthony Bell is a Research Assistant at ISW, where he conducts research on political and security dynamics on Libya. He has previously studied the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and published the ISW report Reversing the Northeastern Insurgency. Anthony holds a bachelor’s degree from the George Washington University in International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict and Security. He graduated magna cum laude and received special honors for his senior thesis on the history of U.S. policy towards Afghanistan. He is currently a graduate student in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University. Spencer Butts is a Research Assistant for the Libya Project at ISW. Prior to joining ISW, Mr. Butts interned at the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute at the Army War College where he wrote a literature review of the Commander’s Emergency Response Program in Iraq. -
Libya's Post-Qaddafi Transition: the Nation-Building Challenge
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and EDUCATION AND THE ARTS decisionmaking through research and analysis. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE This electronic document was made available from www.rand.org as a public service INFRASTRUCTURE AND of the RAND Corporation. TRANSPORTATION INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS LAW AND BUSINESS Skip all front matter: Jump to Page 16 NATIONAL SECURITY POPULATION AND AGING PUBLIC SAFETY Support RAND SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Purchase this document TERRORISM AND Browse Reports & Bookstore HOMELAND SECURITY Make a charitable contribution For More Information Visit RAND at www.rand.org Explore the RAND National Security Research Division View document details Limited Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law as indicated in a notice appearing later in this work. This electronic representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for non- commercial use only. Unauthorized posting of RAND electronic documents to a non-RAND website is prohibited. RAND electronic documents are protected under copyright law. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of our research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please see RAND Permissions. This report is part of the RAND Corporation research report series. RAND reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity. C O R P O R A T I O N Libya’s Post-Qaddafi Transition The Nation-Building Challenge Christopher S. -
An Arab Springboard for Eu Foreign Policy?
AN ARAB SPRINGBOARD FOR EU FOREIGN POLICY? EGMONT PAPER 54 AN ARAB SPRINGBOARD FOR EU FOREIGN POLICY? Sven BISCOP, Rosa BALFOUR & Michael EMERSON (EDS.) January 2012 The Egmont Papers are published by Academia Press for Egmont – The Royal Institute for International Relations. Founded in 1947 by eminent Belgian political leaders, Egmont is an independent think-tank based in Brussels. Its interdisciplinary research is conducted in a spirit of total academic freedom. A platform of quality information, a forum for debate and analysis, a melting pot of ideas in the field of international politics, Egmont’s ambition – through its publications, seminars and recommendations – is to make a useful contribution to the decision- making process. *** President: Viscount Etienne DAVIGNON Director-General: Marc TRENTESEAU Series Editor: Prof. Dr. Sven BISCOP *** Egmont – The Royal Institute for International Relations Address Naamsestraat / Rue de Namur 69, 1000 Brussels, Belgium Phone 00-32-(0)2.223.41.14 Fax 00-32-(0)2.223.41.16 E-mail [email protected] Website: www.egmontinstitute.be © Academia Press Eekhout 2 9000 Gent Tel. 09/233 80 88 Fax 09/233 14 09 [email protected] www.academiapress.be J. Story-Scientia NV Wetenschappelijke Boekhandel Sint-Kwintensberg 87 B-9000 Gent Tel. 09/225 57 57 Fax 09/233 14 09 [email protected] www.story.be All authors write in a personal capacity. Lay-out: proxessmaes.be ISBN 978 90 382 1905 9 D/2012/4804/16 U 1795 NUR1 754 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of the publishers. -
Report Libya: Security Situation
Report Libya: Security Situation 19 December 2014 DISCLAIMER This report is written by country analysts from Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. It covers topics that are relevant for status determination of Libyan and non- Libyan citizens whose asylum claims are based on the situation in Libya. The target audience is case workers/officers within the decision-making authorities handling asylum claims as well as policy makers in the four countries. The report is based on carefully selected and referenced sources of information. To the extent possible and unless otherwise stated, all information presented, except for undisputed or obvious facts, has been cross-checked. While the information contained in this report has been researched, evaluated and analysed with utmost care, this document does not claim to be exhaustive, neither is it conclusive as to the determination or merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Terminology used should not be regarded as indicative of a particular legal position. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. The research for this report was finalised in November 2014 and any event or development that has taken place after this date is not included in the report. Report Libya: Security Situation 19 December 2014 2 CONTENTS 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 5 2. Political Context .................................................................................................................... -
Saving Strangers in Libya: Traditional and Alternative Discourses on Humanitarian Intervention by Sorana-Cristina Jude
Centre International de Formation Européenne Institut Européen ● European Institute Saving Strangers in Libya: Traditional and Alternative Discourses on Humanitarian Intervention By Sorana-Cristina Jude Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Advanced European and International Studies (Anglophone Branch) Supervisor: Tobias Bütow (DAAD Lecturer) Nice, France 2011/2012 Abstract The paper inquires into the 2011 intervention in Libya through the lens of traditional and alternative approaches on International Relations Theory and International Law as means to unveil the academic-informed discourses that justify the latest military action in the Mediterranean region. Claiming that the intervention in Libya is justified by a blending between an international discourse of responsibility with a utilitarian approach on humanitarian intervention, the paper reflects upon the politicization of humanitarian intervention in current international affairs. In order to support this argument, the paper forwards Realist, Constructivist and respectively, Poststructuralist appraisals of the humanitarian intervention in Libya in order to bring to light the subject matter. i Acknowledgements I am indebted to Mr. Tobias Bütow for his patience, academic encouragement and moral support that guided me during this program. His belief in the potential of this paper provided me with the necessary impetus to overcome the difficult moments in writing it. Special gratitude goes towards my parents, brother, sister-in-law, nephews for their love and for teaching me to aspire to the heights. Their high yet reasonable expectations from me are the driving force behind my accomplishments. My friends provided me with necessary moments of laughter during both difficult times and joyful moments. -
Holding Libya Together: Security Challenges After Qadhafi
HOLDING LIBYA TOGETHER: SECURITY CHALLENGES AFTER QADHAFI Middle East/North Africa Report N°115 – 14 December 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................. i I. INTRODUCTION: THE ROAD TO POST-QADHAFI LIBYA ................................. 1 II. THE ORIGINS OF SECURITY FRAGMENTATION ................................................. 6 A. WHO SPEAKS FOR LIBYA? ........................................................................................................... 6 1. Regional divisions ........................................................................................................................ 8 2. The question of Islamism ............................................................................................................. 9 3. Old versus new order ................................................................................................................. 13 B. THE QUESTION OF GOVERNMENT CAPACITY ............................................................................. 15 III. SECURITY FRAGMENTATION ................................................................................. 18 A. WHO’S WHO? ............................................................................................................................ 19 B. A TALE OF COMPETING NARRATIVES ........................................................................................ 23 C. THE CONSEQUENCES OF SECURITY FRAGMENTATION .............................................................. -
United Nations and the Management of 2011 Libyan Political Uprising
i UNITED NATIONS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF 2011 LIBYAN POLITICAL UPRISING BY IKEH, IFEYINWA JOY PG/M.Sc/12/61418 A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.Sc.) IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS) OCTOBER, 2013 ii TITLE PAGE UNITED NATIONS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF 2011 LIBYAN POLITICAL UPRISING iii APPROVAL PAGE This project report has been approved on behalf of the Department of Political Science University of Nigeria, Nsukka …………………………….. …………………………….. Prof. Ezeani E.O. Prof Jonah Onuoha (Supervisor) (Head of Department) ………………………….. …………………………….. Prof. C.O.T. Ugwu External Examiner Dean of Faculty iv DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my late parents Chief and Lolo Reuben Ikeh, and to my brother Osita Benjamin Ikeh who financed my education and encouraged me throughout this study. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS To begin with, my unalloyed appreciation and gratitude go to God Almighty, the Maker of all things, for His benevolence and protection throughout the period the programme lasted. This research work would not have been a success without the efforts, guidance and dexterous supervision of my amiable supervisor – Prof. Emmanuel Ezeani. The work, no doubt, bears testimony to his insightful corrections, suggestions and fatherly directions. His thorough scrutiny of this work contributed to its success story and timely completion. I am grateful to him. I am also highly indebted to my lecturers who intellectually guided me throughout the period of this study. They include the Head of Department, Prof. Jonah Onuoha, Prof. A.M. Okolie, Prof.