This is a video posted by another student in my MENA class which I wanted to share with any readers outside of my Dickinson classmates. It's really interesting and good at displaying the kind of support the rebels have been given as well as giving the situation of politicians and newspapers a face on the ground. So many people are continuing to die, but the spirits of the people still seem fairly high.
Showing posts with label Libya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Libya. Show all posts
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Libya, continued.
It is now thought that the revolts in Libya have claimed over 1000 lives, probably far more. As the rebels become more and more active in taking cities, the government has continued its draconian stance on the protests, resulting in the continued bombing and killing of protestors. The US has still not officially called for implementing a "no fly zone" over Libya for reasons explained as, unrealistic to put into action and too much involvement in an internal conflict. Although this would not be actively joining the fight with our persons, any kind of sanctions and limitations such as a no fly zone, would be perceived as very aggressive from an foreign policy standpoint. As we discussed in my US foreign policy class today, there are accounts of US weapons being supplied to the Egyptian protestors which are in turn be provided to the Libyan rebels. There has also been some active Egyptian support on the ground in Libya, and most of those officials were US trained. In that sense, the US has indirectly aided the movement, but is that enough?
I do not presume to understand all the intricacies in terms of policy decisions, and I certainly don't support putting troops on the ground for two reasons I will go into bellow, but I do believe something should be done as it seems only words have been coming out of the white house and State Department as of late. They urge "regime adjustments" in the greater Middle East area, and although Obama has called for Gadhafi to leave, nothing is being done to back up that statement. People are dying, but I guess that is the sad reality of every form of revolts or revolution if it can be termed that already (unfortunately the public is fractured on the issue of support as far as I understand).
Why we shouldn't put in ground troops:
Two reasons:
Reason one: This is a great time for the people of Libya to see that they can create real change in their country and it must come from within. The international concern should be aimed at the human rights violations in place, in which case it would be NATO or the UN that should take action. Sadly this either will not happen, or will happen too slowly.
Reason two: As harsh as it sounds, we cannot afford it, but in more ways than one. There is of course the economic and loss of American lives to be concerned with, but also, our image in the ME cannot afford how that action might be misconstrued. Fidel Castro, who is close with Gadhafi, has already issued statements praising the government on "pushing out their colonial masters and becoming an independent nation apart from the west" (found at a Latin America blog site: http://latinamerica.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2011/02/25/latin-america-speaks-to-libya-a-contradiction-of-policy/). An invasion by the US could be perceived as an attempt to control the country in some form of "neo-colonialism". Given the support we need from our ME allies, we cannot afford to have that image. Plus that would make us responsible for the aftermath of taking down the Gadhafi regime.
So what do we do? We can't do nothing, but we have to play it smart. This is not just for our interests and benefit, but also for those of the people of Libya who need to do this on their own for the most part, or at least without the west. I really don't know what that means we should do. I personally support economic sanctions and a no fly zone as a way of showing the government that we will withdraw all support for them because of these heinous acts. It makes them an outlaw of the international community and I would urge other nations to do the same. The UN has not been sought after for aid as of yet by the people of Libya, but if they ask, that would be the best case scenario. If the UN is able to accomplish anything at all that is.
I would very much like to hear your thoughts on this, because I am torn between the humanitarian in me that says "they need help" and the studier of political science that says "we cannot become involved too much." How do we play it smart?
I do not presume to understand all the intricacies in terms of policy decisions, and I certainly don't support putting troops on the ground for two reasons I will go into bellow, but I do believe something should be done as it seems only words have been coming out of the white house and State Department as of late. They urge "regime adjustments" in the greater Middle East area, and although Obama has called for Gadhafi to leave, nothing is being done to back up that statement. People are dying, but I guess that is the sad reality of every form of revolts or revolution if it can be termed that already (unfortunately the public is fractured on the issue of support as far as I understand).
Why we shouldn't put in ground troops:
Two reasons:
Reason one: This is a great time for the people of Libya to see that they can create real change in their country and it must come from within. The international concern should be aimed at the human rights violations in place, in which case it would be NATO or the UN that should take action. Sadly this either will not happen, or will happen too slowly.
Reason two: As harsh as it sounds, we cannot afford it, but in more ways than one. There is of course the economic and loss of American lives to be concerned with, but also, our image in the ME cannot afford how that action might be misconstrued. Fidel Castro, who is close with Gadhafi, has already issued statements praising the government on "pushing out their colonial masters and becoming an independent nation apart from the west" (found at a Latin America blog site: http://latinamerica.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2011/02/25/latin-america-speaks-to-libya-a-contradiction-of-policy/). An invasion by the US could be perceived as an attempt to control the country in some form of "neo-colonialism". Given the support we need from our ME allies, we cannot afford to have that image. Plus that would make us responsible for the aftermath of taking down the Gadhafi regime.
So what do we do? We can't do nothing, but we have to play it smart. This is not just for our interests and benefit, but also for those of the people of Libya who need to do this on their own for the most part, or at least without the west. I really don't know what that means we should do. I personally support economic sanctions and a no fly zone as a way of showing the government that we will withdraw all support for them because of these heinous acts. It makes them an outlaw of the international community and I would urge other nations to do the same. The UN has not been sought after for aid as of yet by the people of Libya, but if they ask, that would be the best case scenario. If the UN is able to accomplish anything at all that is.
I would very much like to hear your thoughts on this, because I am torn between the humanitarian in me that says "they need help" and the studier of political science that says "we cannot become involved too much." How do we play it smart?
Monday, February 21, 2011
More On Libya
The situation in Libya is developing hourly and looks like it may be the most violent of the Middle East protests we've seen this year. Gaddafi (sometimes spelled Gadhafi, don't know which is correct), the leader of Libya is rumored to have taken even more extreme measures to silence the civilian protestors. It is thought that he has ordered the Navy and Air Force to actually drop bombs on the protests in progress as well as issuing an order to execute soldiers who disobey these orders (rumored). The fact that such heinous and drastic measures are taken in such early stages if the protests which have left over 200 people dead already and will surly kill hundreds more is insane. I am truly surprised that Gaddafi expects to get away with this as it is in such plain view for the world, and goodness knows they are trying to change that. The difference with this movement is that the protestors themselves seem to be getting more aggressively violent in response to these measures. The video I posted bellow is part of the nearly 22 minute speech Gaddafi's son issued which pretty much took the main blame off of the regime and blamed chaos and the protests attacks as well. Already all EU citizens and Americans have been ordered to leave by the Embassies and international community. This will develop quickly and I truly wonder how long it will take for international powers to intervene (US, UN, NATO, etc.) I am greatly angry and saddened by this. I believe Tunisia, Egypt and the other countries descending into protests will change the character of the Middle East in our lifetime and maybe forever. This seems to be a major turning point where it will probably only get worse before it gets better.
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