In Libya, UN-Backed Government Could Be On The Verge Of Collapse
In Libya, UN-Backed Government Could Be On The Verge Of Collapse
After foreign military intervention led to the death of Libya’s former dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has been plagued by violence and instability. In 2014, Libya erupted into renewed civil war.
In 2016, then-President Obama stated that not preparing for a post-Gaddafi Libya was probably the “worst mistake” of his presidency. Foreign officials say Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord in Tripoli has failed at its basic functions, and the economy is veering toward collapse.
Foreign policy experts say American diplomatic leadership is badly needed in Libya, but Trump’s travel ban against Libyan-born citizens has damaged relations between the two countries.
We discuss what led to the violence and instability in Libya with Ali Ahmida, Chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of New England.