Report: The Militia Challenge in Libya
In a report released in mid-December, 2011, the International Crisis Group analyzes the "significant problem" posed by militias in Libya after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. The report recommends that Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) work with local authorities ...
February 7, 2012
Category: Democracy Promotion, Elections, Featured, Government, Libya, Military, Political transition
Does Economic Growth Affect Democratic Transition?
American political scientist Jay Ulfelder challenged the so-called “cardinal principle of empirical democratic theory” alleged by democratization scholar Larry Diamond. Diamond proposed that “hard economic times” translate to “hard times for democracy.” Ulfelder’s recent study concluded that this might not be the case necessarily. Ulfelder used the findings of his study to dispel complaints from senior officials in Egypt, warning that cutting U.S. aid to Egypt at this time would “transform a peaceful revolution ...
Ashton Calls for ‘Supporting the Arab Awakening’
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton published in the New York Times a piece calling for the support of the "emerging democracies" in the Arab world. Ashton reckoned that democracy can be "'turbulent ...
February 3, 2012
Category: Bahrain, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Featured, Jordan, Libya, Political transition, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen
POMED Notes: Transition in Libya: The Next Steps
On Thursday, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace hosted a panel on the transitional steps that Libya needs to take towards democracy. The speakers were Azza Kamel Maghur, a Libyan lawyer and democracy advocate, and Fadel Lamen, president of the American Libyan Council. The event was moderated by Marina Ottaway, a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. For full event notes, continue reading below. Or, click here for ...
Diplomat Died in Custody and Political Awakening in Libya
Today, the New York-based NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated in a press release that a Libyan diplomat died 24 hours after being held in militia custody. Dr. Omar Brebesh was posted in France from 2004 until 2008, first as cultural attaché and ...
February 3, 2012
Category: Elections 2012, Featured, Human Rights, Justice, Libya, Political Parties, Political transition
ICC: Seif al-Islam Gaddafi Trial Location Undecided
On Monday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) denied that it has decided to set the trial of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, former Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi's son, in Libya. The ICC contradicted a previous announcement by Libya's Justice Minister Ali H'mida Ashur that ...
Libyans Protest Slow Government Transition
Protesters stormed a government office in Benghazi, when the head of the National Transitional Council (NTC), Mustafa Abdel Jalil was inside. The crowd smashed windows and demanded the resignation of the government. This was the most serious and angry ...
POMED Notes: The Transformation of the Middle East
On Wednesday, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars hosted a lecture offering an analysis of the impact of the Arab Spring on the international community, focusing on the U.N. Security Council response to the events in the Arab world in 2011. The lecturer was His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Peter Wittig, permanent representative of Germany to the United Nations since 2009. The moderator was Michael Van Dusen, vice president of ...
January 19, 2012
Category: Arab League, Event Notes, Featured, ICC, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Libya, Syria, Yemen
Libya’s Fighting Between Rivals Militias Goes On
Last week, 9 people were killed in a clash between militias around Gharyan (50 miles from Tripoli). The fight started when the Gharyan militia wanted to arrest people in Assabia suspected to have ties with the former President Muammar Gadhafi' s regime. ...
Deal Reached on FY2012 Omnibus Appropriations Bill
The recently-passed omnibus package for Fiscal Year 2012 includes the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. For Morocco, foreign military financing will not be appropriated until a report is submitted about steps being taken to ensure various freedoms in ...
December 16, 2011
Category: Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Featured, Foreign Aid, Government, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, US foreign policy, Western Sahara, Yemen
POMED Notes: After the Arab Spring: Challenges for Credible Elections
On Wednesday, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems held a panel discussion to discuss the current spate of post-revolutionary elections that have occurred in places like Tunisia and Egypt, and elections that are being prepared for currently in Libya. The discussion also focused on the technical hurdles that numerous countries face when planning and carrying out credible elections. All discussants but one were members of IFES including Nicolas Kaczorowski, IFES ...
December 14, 2011
Category: DC Event Notes, Egypt, Elections, Event Notes, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Government, Libya, Political transition, Tunisia
POMED Notes: “Maintaining America’s Global Responsibilities in an Age of Austerity”
On Tuesday, the Foreign Policy Initiative hosted a series of foreign policy discussions with prominent policymakers and leaders. The forum asked, “Will our leaders make the difficult choices needed to sustain America’s pivotal role in global affairs—or will we accept the grave danger of retreating from the world?” Participants included Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Representative Mike Rogers ...
December 14, 2011
Category: Bahrain, Egypt, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Human Rights, Libya, Political transition, Reform, US foreign policy, US politics
December 13, 2011
Category: Featured, Government, Libya, Military, Political transition, Protests, Public Opinion, Reform
Freedom House: Best and Worst Human Rights Developments of 2011
Mary McGuire and Sarah Trister of Freedom House released a feature entitled "The Best and Worst Human Rights Developments of 2011" to commemorate International Human Rights Day. They suggest that "2011 will be remembered as one is in the hands of the Libyan people" thanks to international efforts. McGuire and Trister also mentioned Arab League action against Syria, and they contend that the organization's effort "bodes well for human rights and ...
December 12, 2011
Category: Bahrain, Egypt, Human Rights, Libya, Political transition, Protests, Reform, Syria, US foreign policy
Libyan Protesters Call for Militias to Leave Tripoli
Approximately 2,000 protesters took to the streets of Tripoli urging militias to relinquish their weapons and retreat to their hometowns. The government has set December 20 as a deadline for the militias to leave, and the local government ...
December 8, 2011
Category: Featured, Government, International Law, Libya, Military, Political transition
Libya: Government Vows to Disarm Tripoli
The Libyan government promised to disarm Tripoli by the end of December in an attempt to rid the city of rogue rebels. Abdul Razzak Buhajar, Tripoli's council chief, stated the government has "assured the Tripoli council that the entire ...
December 7, 2011
Category: Featured, Government, Libya, Political transition, Protests, Public Opinion, Reform, Rule of Law
Herman Cain Releases Middle East Policy Positions
Herman Cain has released his "Vision for Foreign Policy and National Security," detailing his assessment of "key country relations" throughout the globe. He comments on several Middle Eastern countries, including Libya, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Egypt, ...
November 30, 2011
Category: Egypt, Featured, Government, Iran, Libya, Syria, US foreign policy, US politics
