For those of you who, like myself until recently, have not had time lately to check the news, there is currently a revolution in Libya against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, the military dictator who has held power there for the past forty-one years. The Libyan revolution brings up some difficult questions of peace studies: where should we intervene in other countries? How should we go about it? In this case, if the U.S. were to give military aid to the revolutionaries, it could undermine the popular legitimacy of the revolution, making it look like an American power grab. Yet to fail to act could result in a longer, bloodier conflict. I emphasize the importance of the U.N. as a peacekeeping organization because it best provides for international collaboration and thus, legitimacy of action.
The BBC’s Dr. Omar Ashour comments that the international community has long known about human rights violations under Muammar, but has refrained from intervening because of oil interests. He calls for concrete actions now, to speed conflict resolution and prevent the country from falling into further conflict. He recommends that the international community call for Muammar’s arrest, which would make his men less likely to continue following his orders. Additionally, The BBC’s Frank Gardener reports that the U.S. and the U.K. are debating whether they should deploy air forces to create a no-fly zone above Libya, to prevent Gaddafi from bombing his own people. The implications of a no-fly zone are complex: it would mean that we are protecting civilians, and indirectly aiding the revolutionaries, but we would still leave them to mostly do the fighting. Given the potential for massacre if Gaddafi gets desperate enough to use his airforce, I conclude that a no-fly zone should be established, under U.N. authority. Both of these measures, in combination, would send a message that he should step down, but that we are not necessarily out for his head. He could expect a fair trial from the International Criminal Court.
If and when Muammar steps down, I would recommend (if it were up to me) that the U.N. send security forces to keep the peace until a stable new government is established. This is particularly important in light of the potential for tribal conflict. As for establishing a new government, CNN reports that the opposition radio claims that 31 representatives from around the country have convened as the National Transition Council, whose goals are to represent all of Lybia, draft a constitution, and hold elections. The U.N. could also investigate the legitimacy of this group, and act as a mediator of discussion if needed. For now, the international community should keep a close watch and be ready to step in if the situation significantly worsens.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12488278
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12615852
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12577484
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/06/libya.conflict/index.html