Throughout Libya, the security vacuum left by Qaddafi’s departure, the continued presence of pro-Qaddafi supporters, the prevalence of and easy access to weapons, the inability of the interim government to reestablish a strong security apparatus, and the resulting weakness of those security forces that remained led to a volatile situation in which militias previously united in opposition to Qaddafi were now jockeying for in the new Libya. Frequent clashes, including assassinations, took place between contesting militias. Fundamentalist influence with Salafi and al Qaeda connections was also growing, including notably in the eastern region. Public attitudes in Benghazi continued to be positive toward Americans, and it was generally seen as safer for Americans given U.S support of the TNC during the war. However, 2012 saw an overall deterioration of the security environment in Benghazi, as highlighted by a series of security incidents involving the Special Mission, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and third-country nationals and diplomats:
There is a treaty at the United Nations regarding small arms. What that would translate into globally would be a lack of guns in order to carry out small wars that lead to economic isolation of countries and the end of genocide.
How long ago did the Republicans decide to abandon Syria?
September 4, 2013
by Louis Jacobson
On the Aug. 1, 2013, (click here) edition of Fox News Sunday, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., said, "The House did vote against engagement in Kosovo, and Bill Clinton kept fighting anyway. And, then, ultimately, a vote did pass. But he had bombing missions being carried in Kosovo after the House of Representatives voted against him taking action." King is a senior Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Intelligence Committee.
Is King right that there is precedent for a president carrying out military action even after the House specifically voted against authorizing such action?
General Wesley Clark (click here) lead the effort and later would make testimony against Slobodan Milosevic at the World Court. The point is Congress had a pass on Kosovo as well and President Clinton alone carried out the bombing.
Kosovo Timeline: (click here)
Although bombing did not begin until March 24, 1999, NATO's path to war in Kosovo wound its way through much of the region's troubled recent history.
The facts regarding Syria is completely obvious in that there are many ethnic minorities that have called Syria home. Assad's family ruled the country primarily because of their own ethnic minority which was enough to keep them in power. War in Syria is nearly impossible without killing minority ethnicities. The diaspora into refugee camps has minimized the potential of genocide and made it more marginal.
Libya was not much different from that dynamic at the time the late Ambassador was there. But, in all these instances what empowered the resistance was the small arms market. The USA has signed the agreement but that is only the first step. It has to make it through Congress to bring enforcement into the picture. Recently, there was as shipment of bombs from an Iranian arms dealer stopped on its' way to Yemen. The USA Navy and the navies of other countries have success in stopping ships when arms are known to be on board, but, terra firma remains a challenge. I am not convinced small arms are a focus for naval vessels so much as bombs.
The point is when the Benghazi House Committee attempts to demonize the former Secretary Clinton they don't look at their own role in responsibility for this tragedy of an American foreign service in Libya. There are many actions the US Congress could have taken to prevent the violence late Ambassador Stevens and his body guards faced that night.
As long as the US House continues to demonize a great American woman, they also stave off the examination of their own failures.
This place of honor in history didn't happen for late Ambassador Stevens, but, if the potential to peace was enhanced by the removal of the small arms trade from Libya, it would have.
There is a treaty at the United Nations regarding small arms. What that would translate into globally would be a lack of guns in order to carry out small wars that lead to economic isolation of countries and the end of genocide.
How long ago did the Republicans decide to abandon Syria?
September 4, 2013
by Louis Jacobson
On the Aug. 1, 2013, (click here) edition of Fox News Sunday, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., said, "The House did vote against engagement in Kosovo, and Bill Clinton kept fighting anyway. And, then, ultimately, a vote did pass. But he had bombing missions being carried in Kosovo after the House of Representatives voted against him taking action." King is a senior Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Intelligence Committee.
Is King right that there is precedent for a president carrying out military action even after the House specifically voted against authorizing such action?
General Wesley Clark (click here) lead the effort and later would make testimony against Slobodan Milosevic at the World Court. The point is Congress had a pass on Kosovo as well and President Clinton alone carried out the bombing.
Kosovo Timeline: (click here)
Although bombing did not begin until March 24, 1999, NATO's path to war in Kosovo wound its way through much of the region's troubled recent history.
The facts regarding Syria is completely obvious in that there are many ethnic minorities that have called Syria home. Assad's family ruled the country primarily because of their own ethnic minority which was enough to keep them in power. War in Syria is nearly impossible without killing minority ethnicities. The diaspora into refugee camps has minimized the potential of genocide and made it more marginal.
Libya was not much different from that dynamic at the time the late Ambassador was there. But, in all these instances what empowered the resistance was the small arms market. The USA has signed the agreement but that is only the first step. It has to make it through Congress to bring enforcement into the picture. Recently, there was as shipment of bombs from an Iranian arms dealer stopped on its' way to Yemen. The USA Navy and the navies of other countries have success in stopping ships when arms are known to be on board, but, terra firma remains a challenge. I am not convinced small arms are a focus for naval vessels so much as bombs.
The point is when the Benghazi House Committee attempts to demonize the former Secretary Clinton they don't look at their own role in responsibility for this tragedy of an American foreign service in Libya. There are many actions the US Congress could have taken to prevent the violence late Ambassador Stevens and his body guards faced that night.
As long as the US House continues to demonize a great American woman, they also stave off the examination of their own failures.
This place of honor in history didn't happen for late Ambassador Stevens, but, if the potential to peace was enhanced by the removal of the small arms trade from Libya, it would have.
