Mobilizing Dissent in Tripoli

Observers of authoritarianism are aware that one of the hardest obstacles for opposition to overcome is the unknown: the number of people unknown to opposition leaders who do not support the regime and could potentially be induced to act against it, but remain silent out of fear. If an authoritarian regime is effective in atomizing society and hindering free speech, even in private, people will be unable to gauge the extent of public dissatisfaction in existence, making opposition action seem highly risky. No one knows if a person makes a public stance, will others join and support him?  (See Lisa Wedeen’s readable and informative account of this phenomenon in Syria)

In Tripoli, still under the tight grip of Moammar Qaddhafi, fear still prevails. One activist, however, is displaying his defiance in an effort to rally the citizens of Tripoli into action. In a story on CNN, he admits to burning a mural of Qaddhafi in broad daylight – a brazen act by any standards – and explains his motivations.

He said he hurled a Molotov cocktail and set one of the capital's largest Gadhafi posters afire. "It is symbolic because it is in the heart of Tripoli," he said. "It has been what some people have been calling a city devoid of opposition to Gadhafi."

According to CNN, “Niz [pseudonym of the activist] is not alone in his viewpoint: there exists in Tripoli a large, frightened group of people who oppose Gadhafi. Niz hopes to push them into action.”

It is actions like these that started the revolt in Syria. Only by starting with actions like these can people sitting on the fence or frozen in fear be motivation to action.

See the CNN story here:

Displays of Defiance in Tripoli

Is the US Still the Global Leader??

Photo: Scott Nelson/NYT via WcP Watchful.Eye's blog

As people are slaughtered and tortured by Gaddhafi's troops re-taking rebel held areas, the international community dithers. Is it any wonder that neither the UN nor NATO have been able to reach a consensus on action to help the Libyans fighting for their freedom? The United States seems to have forgotten its (self-delegated) role as leader of the free world.

The Bush Administration had no fear as it charged ahead with the invasion of Iraq, despite international misgivings. Now, as Libyans beg for international assistance, the United States seems willing to engage only if others take the lead. As Thomas Ricks says in his Foreign Policy blog, "the American position is that it will support NATO action if one of those three entities [Arab League, African Union, UN] agrees to take the lead."

The US has used up its international political capital in the misguided Iraq war. Now, it must be wary of "regional sensitivities" as it considers Libyan intervention. How sad it is that when US global leadership is needed, we are incapable of rising to the occasion. Constrained by our past actions and reputation, we no longer should call ourselves the beacon of freedom if we cannot assist the forces of freedom when it matters.

Freedom for Egyptians Only?

As dictators across the Middle East open fire on nonviolent citizen protesters, the US remains on the sidelines. Bahrain, Algeria, and Libya have clamped down on media coverage, making these uprisings are much less visible to everyday Americans than the Egyptian uprising, which garnered 24/7 news coverage during its peak.

Protesters putting their lives on the line should not feel abandoned. While they are indigenous, capable movements, they are at the mercy of their police and military establishments. In Bahrain and especially Libya, the relative “restraint” shown by Egypt appear to have been abandoned. The message learned from Egypt: crack down hard and early, before protests become too large.

I hope the Obama administration is not intimidated by the importance of the 5th Fleet’s home in Bahrain. No amount of blood is worth a naval base, even one that serves to pressure Iran and safeguard important oil shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf. The US should make it clear that we stand up for the rights of all who desire freedom, even those with the unfortunate bad luck of living where we have placed an important naval base.

Freedom is for all, not just a chosen few.