University of Texas at San Antonio
Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio; Libyan-born dissident and author of Libya's Qaddafi: The Politics of Contradiction
PROFILE
Mansour El-Kikhia
Guest
FROM Mansour El-Kikhia
Which Way, L.A.?
What's Next for Libya and America's Role in Foreign Adventures? Moammar Gadhafi is still at large, but the US, NATO and neighboring countries are already preparing for Libya's next regime. We update action on the ground and in the world of diplomacy.
To the Point
What's Next for Libya and America's Role in Foreign Adventures? When last heard from, Moammar Gadhafi threatened a fight to the death. Now, NATO is helping rebels to find him, while his loyalists continue to put up a fight. At a conference in Turkey, the US urged donor nations to unfreeze Libyan assets the rebels need to show they can govern the country. Nobody thinks that will be easy, given religious and tribal differences after 42 years of one-man rule and six months of civil war. Will the Obama "lead from behind" strategy be seen as successful? Has a retreat from Bush-style unilateralism been dictated by America's economic struggles? Photo: Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi walking into a press briefing on February 5, 2011, at the same spot as the banner image above, with the iconic golden fist statue behind him, depicting a fist crushing a US jet fighter after Kadhafi's former residence was bombed in 1986 by US aircraft.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Fall of Tripoli: Is This the End of the Gadhafi Regime? Within hours after heavy fighting erupted in Libya's capital this weekend, it appears that Colonel Moammar Gadhafi's regime is finally on its way out. Rebel forces are claiming control of 95 percent of Tripoli as skirmishes continue in the capital, and the Libyan strongman's whereabouts are unknown. NATO has pledged to continue its air strike campaign in support of the rebels, and Western leaders are reaching out to the rebels' National Transitional Council to discuss ways to build democracy in the country. Why did Tripoli fall so quickly? How will events in Libya affect other countries involved in the Arab Spring movement? What lessons can the West learn from failed attempts to build democracy in other Muslim countries?
To the Point
The Fall of Tripoli: Is This the End of the Gadhafi Regime? Within hours after heavy fighting erupted in Libya's capital this weekend, it appears that Colonel Moammar Gadhafi's regime is finally on its way out. Rebel forces are claiming control of 95 percent of Tripoli as skirmishes continue in the capital, and the Libyan strongman's whereabouts are unknown. NATO has pledged to continue its air strike campaign in support of the rebels, and Western leaders are reaching out to the rebels' National Transitional Council to discuss ways to build democracy in the country. Why did Tripoli fall so quickly? How will events in Libya affect other countries involved in the Arab Spring movement? What lessons can the West learn from failed attempts to build democracy in other Muslim countries?
To the Point
Rebellion by the Young and the Unemployed Again and again, Moammar Gadhafi has blamed the violence in Libya on young people. His claim that they're taking "hallucinogens" supplied by Osama bin Laden may not be credible, but there's no doubt that Libya's youth are in the forefront of protest against his corrupt, tyrannical rule. A high proportion of young people and widespread unemployment have set the stage for a perfect storm in the Middle East and North Africa. The Internet and Al Jazeera have opened the young to the rest of the world and stoked their eagerness and courage to demand major change. But if they succeed, what happens next? Will the newly empowered inherit stagnant economies that still deny opportunity and frustrate ambition? What's being done to prevent crushed expectations by encouraging entrepreneurship, creating jobs and training a 21st Century workforce?
Which Way, L.A.?
Libya at a Bloody Crossroads Defecting Libyan diplomats are among those saying there's a "massacre" taking place in their country and demanding that Colonel Moammar Gadhafi step down after 41 years in power. Estimates of the numbers dead in Libya are reaching into the hundreds: protesters killed by soldiers and by mercenaries from other countries. In a defiant speech, Gadhafi said he would fight "to the last drop of blood," despite defections by diplomats and military desertions. Some tribal leaders have threatened to stop the flow of oil from one of the world's major sources unless security forces "stop the bloodshed." We hear more about the most violent Middle Eastern uprising so far and the implications for the US, Europe and the rest of the Arab world.
To the Point
Libya at a Bloody Crossroads Defecting Libyan diplomats are among those saying there's a "massacre" taking place in their country and demanding that Colonel Moammar Gadhafi step down after 41 years in power. Estimates of the numbers dead in Libya are reaching into the hundreds: protesters killed by soldiers and by mercenaries from other countries. In a defiant speech, Gaddafi said he would fight "to the last drop of blood," despite defections by diplomats and military desertions. Some tribal leaders have threatened to stop the flow of oil from one of the world's major sources unless security forces "stop the bloodshed." We hear more about the most violent Middle Eastern uprising so far and the implications for the US, Europe and the rest of the Arab world.
Recommended
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?