Libya
Featured Publications & Tools
In a period of tremendous change in parts of the world, we are asking USIP leaders, from board members to senior staff and experts, to explain the effects that events abroad and here at home will have on the United States, and the contributions the Institute can and does make. Steven Heydemann is USIP’s senior adviser for Middle East Initiatives.
USIP leaders explain the effect that events around the world and here at home will have on the U.S., and the contributions the Institute can and does make during a time of tremendous challenge – and opportunity.
Adm. James Stavridis, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, spoke with USIP staff about some of USIP’s programs making a difference in conflict zones
Latest from USIP on Libya
- September 24, 2012 | Publication
Countries transitioning to democracy must change old models of organizing the police, armed services, and intelligence services, which typically were characterized by mistreatment of the public, for models that stress transparency, accountability, and citizen involvement. Yet each new government in the Middle East and North Africa must tailor its reforms carefully and patiently in order to avoid backlash among security services.
- September 17, 2012 | Publication
Manal Omar, USIP director of Iraq, Iran, and North Africa Programs, reflects on the attack in Benghazi and the Libyan civil society activists that came together to protest the violence.
- September 12, 2012 | Publication
Following the deaths of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three consulate staff on Sept. 11, USIP’s president said, “[Their] deaths remind us all of the courage and sacrifices made by our State Department partners… [It] is a tragic loss for the country and the Institute – and indeed for the cause of peace and stabilization in Libya.”
- September 3, 2012 | Publication
Read about USIP’s on-the-ground and region-specific work aimed at the prevention of conflict in North Africa, the Middle East, South and Northeast Asia, and our special project on atrocity prevention.
Overview
USIP has been working on the ground in Libya since early in the uprising that unseated the former regime, engaging with the burgeoning civil society sector and serving in an advisory role to the Libya Stabilization Team formed by the National Transitional Council (NTC). As Libya emerges from conflict, USIP will continue to broaden its engagement with the new government and other local stakeholders to support those working to promote a peaceful transition.
The institute’s activities in Libya have included workshops on civil society and conflict management conducted with the aim of building local capacities to head off violent conflict before it starts and to better manage potentially violent outbreaks. To date, more than 100 Libyans have participated in USIP’s workshops.
Additionally, the Institute has hosted a successful initial screening of "Confronting the Truth", a USIP-produced film that depicts the process post-conflict countries undergo when there have been massive human rights violations. The film focuses on truth and reconciliation commissions and the governmental, societal, and legal reforms implemented to address the pain of the past, to safeguard human rights and due process, and to ensure that the horror will not be repeated. The screening in Benghazi was attended by more than 160 Libyans and was followed by a lively question and answer session on matters of justice and reconciliation.
USIP has also been engaged in women’s issues. In November, the Institute helped sponsor a conference focusing on the role of women in Libya held by Voice of Libyan Women in Tripoli, and more recently USIP’s Manal Omar participated in a conference held by TEDx. In November, Omar testified before the Senate Foreign Relations committee on the role of women in the Arab Spring, and more specifically, their role in Libya.
- The Arab Awakening
As the dramatic events of the Arab Spring turn to the more mundane yet vital work of governance, constitution writing and peacebuilding, USIP is on the ground, bringing its unique brand of action and expertise to the effort.
Work & Analysis
In the Field by Colette Rausch | February 2012
A New and Optimistic Libya, Struggling to its Feet
"The moment I learned the gun battle erupted down the street from my hotel, my mind started racing with the implications it could have on Libya’s tentative steps toward democracy." | Read more
On the Issues by Bob Perito | February 2012
Reforming the Security Sector in Tunisia and Libya
Bob Perito, director of USIP's Security Governance Center of Innovation, recently returned from Tunisia and Libya, where he met with police, military and government officials to examine the current status of the security sector in each country. | Read more
Special Report by Susanne Tarkowski Tempelhof and Manal Omar | December 2011
Stakeholders of Libya’s February 17 Revolution
United in revolution, Libya’s various rebel groups have high expectations of a new government but are divided on many fronts. Understanding who these factions are and the tensions among them is key to finding common ground on how to rebuild Libya’s political process. | Read more
In the Field | December 2011
USIP Aids Libyan Post-Qaddafi Transition
During a regional visit to the Middle East, USIP’s Manal Omar visited Libya several times as part of the Institute’s engagement in support of the ongoing transition there. Omar is director of USIP’s Iraq, Iran, and North Africa Program.
See more publications and tools on Libya
From USIP's Experts
TEDxBuslimWomen
Video: USIP's Director of Iraq, Iran, and North Africa Programs, Manal Omar speaks at the TEDxBuslimWomen event in Tripoli.
Getting to know the opposition
USIP's Director of Iraq, Iran, and North Africa Programs, Manal Omar gives a breakdown of the Libyan opposition.
USIP in the News
August 24, 2011
Meeting Calls for National Reconciliation and Dialogue (العربية | Arabic)
Source: Quryna al-Jadida
Local coverage of USIP's screening of "Confronting the Truth," a film on transitional justice, in Benghazi, Libya.
Get Involved with USIP
- View upcoming public events at USIP
- Visit the USIP Newsroom
- Receive latest USIP news and analysis in your email
- Learn about training and courses at the USIP Academy
Interact with USIP
