Featured Publications
The Trilateral Bond: Mapping a New Era for Latin America, the United States, and Europe
Egypt's Litigious Transition: Judicial Intervention and the Muddied Road to Democracy
A New Deal: Reforming US Defense Cooperation with Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership: Ambitious but Achievable
Time to Move from Tactics to Strategy on Iran
Lowering the Price of Russian Gas: A Challenge for European Energy Security
Does Beijing Have a Strategy? China's Alternative Futures
Council News
Rudolph Atallah Testifies before House Panel on Crisis in the Sahel
Rudolph Atallah, senior fellow in the Atlantic Council’s Michael S. Ansari Africa Center, testified at a House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on “The Growing Crisis in Africa’s Sahel Region.”
Mihaela Carstei on the US-Canada Keystone Pipeline Project (CTV)
On the heels of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit to the United States, Energy & Environment Program Associate Director Mihaela Carstei joins CTV to discuss the Keystone Pipeline project that would transport tar sands oil from Canada and the northern United States to refineries in the Gulf coast of Texas.
Frederic Hof on US Position in Syria Crisis (BBC World Service)
Hariri Middle East Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof speaks with the BBC’s Tim Franks about the cautious US position with respect to resolving the Syria crisis.
Shuja Nawaz Response to Pakistan Election Results (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)
South Asia Center Director Shuja Nawaz joins a live Google Hangout organized by RFE/RL to discuss Pakistan’s historic elections.
Countries in Transition: Libya
Libyans are struggling to transform their country into a stable, secure, and functioning democracy. The government is having difficulties disarming various armed militias around the country, and ordinary Libyans are impatient with the slow pace of the transition and struggle on a day–to-day basis with an economy that has yet to show signs of recovery—despite the country’s significant petro-wealth.
Despite localized violence and continuing resistance to militia disbandment, Libya’s political process is moving forward largely as planned. Elections for the 200-member General National Congress (GNC), Libya’s first free election in six decades, took place on July 7, 2012. The National Forces Alliances won thirty-nine of the eighty seats reserved for political parties, followed by the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Justice and Development Party in a distant second with seventeen seats. Turnout was estimated at around 65 percent; roughly 1.8 million registered voters casted their ballots.
On August 9, 2012 the National Transitional Council (NTC) formally transferred power to the new General National Congress (GNC). The following day the GNC named Mohamed Yousef el-Magariaf, leader of the National Front Party, as interim president. After several missteps and many months, the GNC selected Ali Zidan to be Prime Minister and voted overwhelmingly to approve Zidan’s government on October 31. Four of the newly proposed ministers were found unsuitable for office and an integrity commission is currently reviewing an additional four ministers. Despite this, Zidan’s cabinet was sworn in on November 15, 2012.
At the same time, the lack of security throughout the country is a major concern that presents serious obstacles to progress. The attack on the US consulate in Benghazi highlighted the troubling security situation, which needs serious reevaluation by the Libyan government, the United States, and the international community.
Libya's Transition: The Current State of Play – November 2012
Publications
- Appoint or Elect the Constitutional Committee of Libya? - Duncan Pickard and Karim Mezran, Viewpoint - November 21, 2012
- Bolstering the Constitutional Declaration to Strengthen Transitional Governance in Libya - Duncan Pickard, Viewpoint - November 15, 202
- An Alternative Hypothesis on the Benghazi Events - Karim Mezran, Viewpoint - November 9, 2012
- The Dismissal of Abushagur and Libya's Leadership Crisis - Karim Mezran, Viewpoint -October 11, 2012
- The Case for an Interim Constitution in Libya - Duncan Pickard, Viewpoint - October 5, 2012
- The International Community Must Aid Libya - Karim Mezran & Eric Knecht, US News & World Report - October 2, 2012
- Embassy Attacks Set the Stage for Moderation or Extremist Momentum - Karim Mezran & Sarah Wade, Viewpoint - September 26, 2012
- Foreign Service and Ambassador Stevens - Ross Wilson, New Atlanticist - September 13, 2012
- Picking up the Pieces and Honoring Ambassador Stevens - Karim Mezran & Danya Greenfield, Viewpoint - September 12, 2012
- Free Speech in America Yields Violence in Egypt and Libya - James Joyner, New Atlanticist - September 12, 2012
- From Militia Violence to Terrorism? - Karim Mezran & Katherine Mulberger, Viewpoint - August 28, 2012
- Obama's Fumble Cost the US its Standing - Michele Dunne, New York Times - August 24, 2012
- Libya’s Choice: National Reconciliation or Chaos - Karim Mezran, New Atlanticist - August 20, 2012
- Libya's NTC Turns over Power: Where Does the Transition Go From Here? - Karim Mezran, New Atlanticist - August 7, 2012
- An Opportunity for Nato in Libya- Karim Mezran, International Affairs Online - August 3, 2012
- Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood: Between a Present with Qatar and a Future with Libya - Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, EgyptSource - July 13, 2012
- Libya Has Successful Elections but Not Yet Democracy - Karim Mezran, New Atlanticist - July 10, 2012
- Negotiating a Solution to the Security Problem in Libya - Karim Mezran, New Atlanticist - June 11, 2012
- New Militia Clashes Endanger Transition in Libya - Karim Mezran, New Atlanticist - June 4, 2012
- Karim Mezran Writes on Arab Spring and Constitutionalism and Islam in Libya - May 15, 2012
- To Stabilize Libya, Transatlantic Political Engagement Needed - Alec Simantov, New Atlanticist, March 19, 2012
- Libya’s Revolution: Do Institutions Matter? – Michele Dunne, Current History - December 2011
- The Role of the West in a Libyan Trial of Saif al-Islam Qaddafi – Yuvaraj Savalingam, New Atlanticist - November 29, 2011
- With the Storming of Libya’s Bastille, the Arab Revolutions Begin a New Phase – Michele Dunne, New Atlanticist - August 26, 2011
Issue Briefs
- Security Challenges to Libya's Quest for Democracy - Karim Mezran & Fadel Lamen, Atlantic Council Issue Brief - September 12, 2012
- A US-EU Action Plan for Supporting Democratization: Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia – Danya Greenfield, Atlantic Council Issue Brief - November 21, 2011
Events
- Updates from the Ground: The Latest from Libya and Tunisia - October 23, 2012
- Security Challenges to Libya's Quest for Democracy - September 13, 2012
- Libya's First Elections: A Preliminary Look at Results and Outlook - July 11, 2012
- Libya's Transition: Prospects for Elections and the Way Forward - June 5, 2012
- Discussion with Libyan Foreign Ministry Spokesman Dr. Saad al-Shalmani - March 9, 2012
- Military Assistance and Transatlantic Cooperation in North Africa: Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt - February 17, 2012
- The State of Play in Libya’s Transition - February 16, 2012
- The Arab Spring: Towards a Coherent US-EU Approach - November 8, 2011
- After The Arab Spring: The Uphill Struggle for Democracy - November 4, 2011
- Roundtable with Ambassador Gene Cretz on Building Civil Society and Democracy in Libya - September 13, 2011
- Planning for a Post-Qaddafi Libya: Conversations with Libyan Transitional Leaders - July 28, 2011
Media Appearances
- Michele Dunne Interviewed by NPR on Mideast Violence Prompting Calls for New US Policy - September 20, 2012
- Karim Mezran on Al Jazeera Discussing What Now for US-Libya Relations - September 13, 2012
- Karim Mezran on CCTV Discussing Developments in the Attack on the American Consulate in Benghazi, Libya - September 13, 2012
- Michele Dunne in CFR Interview on Assessing Political Transitions in the Mideast - October 28, 2011
- Michele Dunne on PBS NewsHour to Discuss Future of Arab Awakening - October 24, 2011
FEATURED EVENTS
15th Anniversary of PDD-63: History of Cyber Critical Infrastructure Protection
On May 22, the Atlantic Council's Cyber Statecraft Initiative will hold a discussion on the history of cyber critical infrastructure protection in recognition of the 15th anniversary of Presidential Decision Directive 63 (PDD-63).
Evolving US-European Security Cooperation with the Gulf States
On May 23, the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Peace and Security Initiative at the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security is hosting a panel discussion on new developments in security cooperation among the United States, its European allies, and the Gulf states, and how they are likely to evolve in the coming years.
The Kaleidoscope Turns Again in a Crisis-Challenged Iran
On May 30, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center will release a new issue brief, The Kaleidoscope Turns Again in a Crisis-Challenged Iran, a discussion of Iran’s upcoming presidential elections.
2013 Wroclaw Global Forum
From June 13-14, the 2013 Wrocław Global Forum will bring together over 350 top policy-makers and business leaders to explore the region’s impact as an actor in Europe, as well as its crucial role in the transatlantic partnership and on the global stage.
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