The Arab Spring: Comparing U.S. Reactions in Libya and Syria
Abstract
The Arab Spring began in December 2010 and blew across North Africa and the Middle East, resulting in outcomes from the implementation of modest reforms to the peaceful yet often violent removal from office of long-standing dictators. The United States claimed its national interests were at stake when it joined the European powers in an air campaign to save civilian lives from Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi's violent oppression of peaceful demonstrations. Meanwhile, events in Syria continue to unfold with all indications of minimal foreign intervention while the regime of President Bashar al-Assad continues to put down insurrection using violent and deadly methods. What explains the contradictory reaction by the United States to the rebellions in Libya and Syria? Maintaining European access to Libyan oil and the presence of a unified, organized political opposition in Libya contributed to U.S. policy decisions to take action in defense of civilian lives. In Syria, several factors, including the lack of an organized opposition, potential for destabilization in the region, and vetoes by Russia and China on U.N. Security Council Resolutions against Syria underscore the United States' reluctance to take similar action in Syria.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 22, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA562112
Entities
People
- David N. Wilson
Organizations
- United States Army War College