G2 I am also uncomfortable with the demonising treatment Kaddafi’s image has been given by Western governments. He was arguably a good man. His methods for developing and controlling Libya were certainly little different than many other ME leaders. These leaders are being swept aside with great enthusiasm, but what will replace them? I am deeply worried that regimes far more (as far as the West is concerned) vile will replace them.
Western leaders have repeated their expectations that Libya will now become a democracy an outcome that is highly unlikely to occur. Libya is too internally divided and has no history of democracy for that outcome to occur. Not only that, but Libya will be a cauldron of many strong political and religious forces to chance their arms. The West seems to have been hypnotised by its own collective ego and of course the prospect of access to light oil. The West seems to have again put on its colonial cloak and acted with moral superiority through its military. the West hopes that it can continue to make the world in its image. But, the Libyans will have none of it.
Libya will now descend into an unending series of internal struggles for its oil and power. The endearing charms of the Arab springtime liberators will subside and be replaced by tougher conflicts. The lure of precious oil will pull in many competing opportunists from the West and East. The ME is facing a fundamental contest; the struggle between the forces of the West, Iran and Saudi Arabia. This conflict is being played out in Egypt, Syria and Bahrain. There is no reason why it will not materialise in violence in Libya. The outcome of this competition will be years away and in the meantime, all we will have is increasing tyranny from forces utterly opposed to democracy.
Lets not forget that democracy has not yet emerged in Egypt after its glorious revolution. What were these dreamers thinking??????
Kaddafi may not have been, as I said above, a good man, but compared to what could ultimately replace his regime, he may be seen in hindsight to be an angel.
