Nato’s 2011 Intervention in Libya and its impact

The popular “Arab Spring” revolt spread rapidly from Tunisia to Egypt, and then from Egypt to Libya, toppling or threatening entrenched regimes and the status quo. Libya’s revolt in 2011 turned into a bloody civil war. In Tunisia, the Islamic movement (Nahda Party) led the country into social unrest. In Egypt the revolt turned into Christian-Muslim confrontations. While many observers have drawn connections to the US control of the International Order the domination of the Western alliance, and its major role in the eastward spread of liberal democracy to Eastern Europe, the outcome of the Arab revolts was nowhere near bringing political and social stability. Libya, in particular, offers proof that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was involved in the regime change.

The following questions will focus on the analysis of NATO’s role in Libya:

– What role did NATO play in supporting Libya’s uprising?

– Why did NATO take this action, particularly in Libya, and not in Egypt or Tunisia’s revolts?

– Did NATO succeed in its campaign in Libya, with the purpose of establishing democracy and bringing social stability?