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    "Frederic Wehrey"
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Source: Getty

In The Media

Understanding the Complex Web of Conflict in Libya

The real story of Libya is that there is no one faction that can really compel or coerce the others.

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By Frederic Wehrey
Published on Jul 28, 2014
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Middle East

The Middle East Program in Washington combines in-depth regional knowledge with incisive comparative analysis to provide deeply informed recommendations. With expertise in the Gulf, North Africa, Iran, and Israel/Palestine, we examine crosscutting themes of political, economic, and social change in both English and Arabic.

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Source: PBS Newshour

Speaking to Jeffrey Brown on PBS NewsHour, Carnegie’s Frederic Wehrey discussed the deteriorating situation in Libya, where violence has escalated between rival factions. The very complex web of dynamics and alliances has finally arrived to Tripoli, Wehrey said, where fighting has intensified over control of the airport.

Under Qaddafi, Libya didn’t have state institutions, an army, or police. It’s only gotten worst since the revolution, Wehrey said. “The militias are getting funding from Libya’s oil wealth and they’ve really mushroomed. They’ve become their own entities,” he argued. “The real story of Libya is that there’s no one faction that can really compel or coerce the others.”

In Washington, there’s a sense that there’s no partner on the other side, Wehrey explained. They want to help the Libyans but the Libyans first have to help themselves. “I do think the Libyans themselves need to step up to the plate before the outside community can help,” he argued.

This interview was originally aired on PBS NewsHour.

About the Author

Frederic Wehrey

Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

Frederic Wehrey is a senior fellow in the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where his research focuses on governance, conflict, and security in Libya, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf.

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Frederic Wehrey
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Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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