Absolutely - execution of some kind of governing strategy will be critical. But in terms of potential, they are in much better shape than some of the other countries that have endless turmoil, civil war, revolutions, tribalism, etc. Their starting point is a much more functional, semi-modern society.
Yes. I know this is the wrong time to even think about being a tourist, but my hope would be that the country blossoms with a liberal democracy once this is over and that I can one day travel there. There are so many places to discover there, they could actually develop into a tourist destination one day (although that will still take a long time).
Libya has been a fixture on CNN/BBC for about 3-4 days, though the unrest really only started in the last 24-36 hours. I'm sure peeps in the intelligence agencies across Western countries are helping make this thing happen, its the one country where change is probably seen as a good thing.
Dude needs to GTFO now. 5 million people and huge amount of oil wealth, long beaches, excellent historic sites, bordering a huge economic powerhouse. Please don't believe the BS that the country will descend into anarchy because of tribalism. It's no more tribal than the UAE or Qatar were/are, and aside from the obvious issues in Qatar/UAE, Libya is way way behind economically speaking. I don't know how to even imagine a ruler deploying fighter jets to attack his own people. It's just absolutely insane. On top of that, he will destroy the country's wealth if he's not allowed to stay. Something has to change quickly.
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LOL, not everything you read is the truth. I've got close family that have lived in Libya for years, as far they know Moammar is no brute. An idiot for sure, but not someone who would send jetfighters on his own people. Actually the economy was starting to pick up since the sanctions and air embargo were lifted, those were huge reasons why Libya struggled and is way behind. Don`t get me wrong Moammar needs to go, but I believe this removal will have more to do with external forces than the people`s wishes. I guess some people are missing the days of King Idris.
It's really not a laughing matter. I suggest you call up someone that was in the square and ask them. I also have close family that are Bahrainis and are chillin at home and they don't see most of the stuff I'm watching on Youtube. That doesn't mean it's not happening. Like with Egypt, the level of economic growth is/was something that even a monkey could generate. Egypt's GDP was growing beautifully, but the benefits from the growth was not trickling down to the people. External forces will always be involved, always. Somehow, some way, external forces will be involved. But that's not why these protests are growing, and that does not taint the revolution. Believe me, if there was any credible info that external forces are holding an unusually influential role, then Gaddhafi's son would have focused on that one point, instead of bringing druggies and alcoholics into it. I hope your family is ok btw.
How do you explain the two pilots who defected along with the other reports that fighter jets are being used? At the moment this uprising appears to be internally driven what evidence do you have that it is being driven by external forces? Also in more news I just heard on radio that a reporter who has snuck into Libya that Benghazi is in pretty much being controlled by protesters and not the government. Also it looks like many Libyans in the east are packing up and preparing to leave in case of a counter offensive.
Not only that; also, several Libyan ambassadors stepped down in protest and said that exactly that (people being shot at from helicopters and planes) was reported to them by their own relatives. ChrisBosh is totally talking out of his behind here. In the meantime, Gaddafi appeared on TV for 12 seconds. Very bizarre. <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EqzHN27sV_g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Not sure about the accuracy of the following, but this is what a friend told me: Soldiers in Libya are using .50 BMG bullets on civilians. To put it in perspective, that’s the one on the left.
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won't start a new thread for this seemingly silly question. how could a guy stay in power if the country doesn't want him? what is power exactly, especially in these recent cases. is it their bank accounts, is it inevitable they will lose?
Its not a silly question but a very complex question. In the case of Libya from what I have been reading is that Gaddafi overthrew an unpopular monarchy and for awhile was seen as a populist. He also did do things that were popular like infrastructure development and some other reforms. In addition to those he helped to cultivate an image as being an anti-colonialist and in various incarnations has been either a defender of the Third World, a defender of Africa, a defender of Islam and a defender of the Arab world. For a long time he was able to deflect internal criticism by having his people and supporters around the world focus on the enemy of the West. Internally he also was able to play to tribal loyalties to back him. Besides those political moves he built up an internal security apparatus and stacked the military with his own family and cronies and controlled information.
Just listening to Gaddafi's speech and based on it sounds like he is prepared, even looking forward to, a blood bath before he goes. I predict this isn't going to be Egypt 2010 but Romania 1989.
Gaddafi is doing Mubarak a favor, I think, by making him look like a damn humanitarian in comparison. I wonder if there are some Egyptians who were ready to lynch Mubarak a few days ago and are now thinking "Mubarak is a real b*stard, but you know what, it could have been worse."
This is the kind of the story with nearly every post-colonial despot in Africa. At one point in time Mugabe and Amin were respected populists and defenders of Africa too.
This. Gaddafi is threatening force, but he's already used gunships to fire on protesters. I don't imagine it can get much worse than it already is. The army is slowly turning on him, as well, and more and more army members are defecting to Malta (I heard a naval ship was there today).
Similar to Castro in Cuba, Castro overthrew a president largely detested by the poor, and was popular and a pretty damn good leader for the first couple of years, then he started to abuse his power and kill people off.
