Podcasts about national accord

The restoration of full diplomatic relations between Turkey and Egypt raises hope that cooperation can replace rivalry between these two regional powers. Turkey and Egypt have both been involved in civil wars in Ethiopia and Libya, each backing a different side.Analysts hope the restoration of full diplomatic ties between Cairo and Ankara in early July will help ease tensions across Africa and the Middle East."It could affect Egypt, at least the issue they have in Ethiopia, because both countries support different sides of the conflict," predicts security analyst Aya Burweila."So, in general, I think this is good. I think it's helpful for Libya as well because both sides support different factions in Libya," adds Burweila, who specialises in Libya. "And I think this stalemate has gone on for such a long time. It is about time existing powers figure out something that everyone can agree on," she concluded.Libya crisisIn 2020, Turkey's military intervention in support of Libya's Government of National Accord against the Egyptian-backed forces of General Khalifa Hafta brought Turkey and Egypt to the brink of a direct confrontation."When you are looking at the tense times, Turkey and Egyptian armies almost came face to face here," recounts Turkish presidential advisor Mesut Casin. France blasts Turkey for role in Libya as crisis draws in foreign actorsCasin, an international security expert at Istanbul's Yeditepe University, says economic cooperation offers a way forward out of the current tensions in Libya."Turkey and Egypt, first of all, may bring energy security and energy trade. Secondly, if they come together in Libya, it should be beneficial to both Turkey and Libya," he said.But Turkey's military presence and the deployment of Syrian mercenaries in Libya are potential obstacles to a Turkish-Egyptian rapprochement. What are Turkish troops and Syrian militia fighters doing in Libya?Egypt "wants to see the withdrawal of [Turkish] troops in Libya, the withdrawal of Syrian mercenaries in Libya. Egypt has a red line in Libya," warns analyst Burweila."They're very wary of foreign bases and its neighbouring country, and definitely foreign troops that are associated with Islamist extremism. So they want to see concrete actions from Turkey before they move forward. Having said that, I think the first step to any concrete action is diplomatic relations," she added.Energy resourcesLibya's vast energy wealth offers a powerful impetus for cooperation, suggests Jalel Harchaoui at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies in London.Harchaoui points out that a deal is waiting to be made, with Turkey backing the regime controlling western Libya and Egypt supporting forces in the east of the country."Egyptian workers could have an easier time finding their traditional historical jobs in the western, most populated half of Libya. And if in exchange, they facilitate the economic penetration of Turkey in the east, then it would be better for everybody from an economic perspective," he explained.The future of Libya is predicted to top the agenda when Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visits Ankara for talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which is expected to happen in the coming weeks.The state visit is seen as symbolically marking a return to normal relations.Regional axisIn turn that brings the hope that cooperation can replace rivalry between the two countries, especially when it comes to regional issues."It's going to be about taking care of Libya," said Harchaoui, "and avoiding situations worsening in secondary theatres like Tunisia, or if Chad gets into trouble because the Sudan war fragments it."He added: "You would be able to just assume that Turkey and Egypt are roughly on the same side. Same thing with Sudan; you don't have the knee-jerk reaction of always being against the other." Egypt and Sudan's international partners try to stop the civil warMoney also could have a crucial role in keeping the Turkey-Egypt rapprochement on track.Erdogan's recent visit to the Arab Gulf States saw him sign tens of billions of dollars in contracts with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, both allies of Egypt. The funds are vital to keeping Turkey's floundering economy afloat.Analysts say such deals will also help ensure the future of Turkey and Egypt's new detente and with it, the removal of a destabilising force in the regions.

Property invasion has emerged as a core facet of the recent demonstrations including the Northlands in Nairobi, and Kedong ranch in Isiolo. Is our failure to implement Agenda 4 of the 2007 National Accord coming back to bite us? What is the future of the land question in Kenya? The Elephant's Joe Kobuthi talks to conservationist Mordecai Ogada.

On October 27, USIP held the first in a series of public discussions with Libyan leaders connected to the elections scheduled in the coming months. These events will dive into complex questions regarding efforts to prevent electoral violence, the electoral process itself and leaders' visions for restoring peace and stability in Libya. This first discussion featured Fathi Bashagha, who has held several important positions since the 2011 revolution, including as a member of the Libyan Military Council and the Libyan House of Representatives and as minister of interior in the Government of National Accord from 2018-2021.  Speakers Fathi Bashagha  Former Minister of Interior, Government of National Accord, Libya Mike Yaffe, moderator Vice President, Middle East and North Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace   For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/libyan-general-elections-2021-discussion-series-libyan-leaders  

Turkey's military presence in Libya is under growing pressure amid increasing international and Libyan calls for all foreign forces to leave the country. The pressure is predicted to grow as critical players in the Libyan civil war meet in Berlin this month. Turkey has deployed hundreds of soldiers and encouraged thousands of Syrian fighters to support the Libyan Government of National Accord in its battle against forces led by General Khalifa Hafta, who is backed by Russian and Sudanese mercenaries. Now, with a ceasefire in force and elections scheduled for December, pressure is growing for all foreign troops to leave Libya. "There have been two UN Security Council Resolutions already for the removal of all foreign presence from Libya, be it Turkish, Russian, Sudanese, so yes, the political terrain has changed very much," said Aya Burweila, a visiting lecturer at the Hellenic National Defense College in Athens. "There has been an increasing realisation that Turkey was building up its presence on the Mediterranean in Libya," she added. "So I think the EU, as well as the United States, had a rude awakening about Turkish intentions in Libya." Turkish forces claim to have been 'invited' Ankara insists Libya's internationally recognised government has invited Turkish forces. But in May, Libya's Foreign Minister Najla El-Mangoush called for all foreign fighters to quit, including Turkish soldiers. The Turkish military has already established an airbase in Libya and, according to Turkish media reports, is seeking to build a naval base. The growing military presence has drawn intense criticism from France, with Ankara and Paris increasingly competing for regional influence. Ilhan Uzgel, an international relations analyst who writes for the Turkish news portal Duvar, predicts that Ankara will likely yield to international pressure and partly reduce its military presence. "The Arabs will not like it (Turkish military in Libya), the Libyan population will not like it in the mid to longer term. But for now, in order to maintain the balance of the forces in the country, they (Libya) may allow a small symbolic number of Turkish troops there. And This will make Erdogan's job easier - he can claim Turkey still has a military presence in this country. "But Turkey will definitely withdraw the jihadists, the fighters that they carried all the way from Syria. Turkey can maintain a small number of liaison officers there, not a combat force, not a tactical force. But Turkey's military presence there is a very strong bargaining chip for Turkey," said Uzgel. Ankara regards Libya as a bargaining token A US defense department report last year said Turkey sent thousands of paid Syrian fighters to Libya. Ankara denies any Syrian fighters deployed in Libya have links to Jihadist groups. Turkey is currently seeking to improve relations with both Washington and the European Union, and cooperation over Libya is seen by Ankara as substantial leverage. Turkish presidential advisor Mesut Casin defends his country's military deployment to Libya but says they are ready to withdraw under certain circumstances. "If Turkey did not send out a military force, we will be seeing a very big conflict," said Casin, "How can we withdraw Turkish military forces? It will be possible if the other foreign forces withdraw their military people. " However, Casin says the Turkish military can play a new important regional role in Libya. "Turkey did not want military influence in Libya; we don't need it. But Turkey and also European Union maybe work together. Turkey aims to support the Frontex European Union border security. This is not only for Turkey, even Italy, and also Malta support this situation," added Casin. With Libya one of the main gateways for migrants seeking to enter the European Union illegally, analysts claim Ankara is likely calculating that helping to secure the EU's southern border can give it essential future leverage.

Maria Luisa Mendonça, Director of the Network for Social Justice and Human Rights in Brazil, talks to us about recent massive protests in multiple cities in Brazil against president Jair Bolsonaro over the economy, state violence, and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they included a broad coalition of indigenous groups, unions, and regular citizens. We also talk about the violent police response by the government to the protests and the state of the pandemic in the country. Nick Mottern, reporter, researcher, writer, political organizer, and coordinator of Bankillerdrones.org and KnowDrones.com, joins us to talk about recent reports that autonomous armed drones have been by used the Government of National Accord in Libya, how this technology allows drones acquire targets with no human input, how this is changing the way wars are being fought, and the ethical implications of this kind of warfare.Lorraine Whitman, president of the Native Women's Association of Canada, talks to us about the tragedy of the Canadian residential school system, with the discovery of the remains of 215 children buried near a residential school in British Columbia, how this system was an integral part of the colonization and dehumanization of the peoples of the First Nations of Canada. We also talk about what has been done to redress this injustice and efforts by indigenous communities to gain more autonomy and control their future. Jon Jeter, author, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, a former Washington Post bureau chief, and award-winning foreign correspondent, talks to us about Joe Biden's speech at the commemoration of the Tulsa massacre, the administration's efforts to close the economic race gap, and whether its proposals will be successful. We also talk about Barack Obama's comments in an interview with Ezra Klein, and how his legacy will be regarded in the long term. Karleigh Webb, journalist, videographer and anti-imperialist, labor and trans-rights organizer with the PSL in Connecticut, talks to us about Naomi Osaka withdrawing from the French Open and slamming the media, and Florida governor Ron DeSantis' latest attack on trans athletes.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah paid his first official visit to Ankara. Accompanied by large delegations, Dbeibah and Turkish President Erdogan held broad talks and negotiations to further strengthen bilateral relations. The two leaders also renewed their commitment to the maritime demarcation deal in the eastern Mediterranean, signed with Libya’s previous Government of National Accord. Libya’s new unity government was sworn in on March 15 from two rival administrations in the east and west, completing a smooth transition of power after a decade of chaos. So will the shaky ceasefire between the warring sides in Libya continue to hold and will the country be able to hold national elections in December? Guests: Ramazan Erdag Associate Professor at Eskisehir Osmangazi University Guma El Gamaty Head of Libya's Taghyeer Party

Former Commander of USAFRICOM Waldhauser and former US Ambassador to Libya discuss their partnership in managing relations with the Government of National Accord, US strikes on ISIS, negotiating with opposition strongman General Haftar, the growing footprint of Russia, the role of Turkey, the inflow of arms and proxy forces and current challenges to the stabilization of the country.  

The United States on Thursday called for the immediate withdrawal of Russian and Turkish forces from Libya after a deadline for them to leave was ignored.This appeal marked a firmer expression of US policy toward oil-rich Libya under the new administration of President Joe Biden.The acting US ambassador Richard Mills during a UN Security Council meeting on Libya said they call on all external parties, to include Russia, Turkey and the UAE, to respect Libyan sovereignty and immediately cease all military intervention in Libya.Mills said per the October ceasefire agreement we call on Turkey and Russia to immediately initiate the withdrawal of their forces from the country and the removal of the foreign mercenaries and military proxies that they have recruited, financed, deployed and supported in Libya.The UN estimates there are some 20,000 foreign troops and mercenaries in Libya helping the warring factions: the UN-recognized Government of National Accord in Tripoli and military strongman Khalifa Haftar in the east.

Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar has threatened to directly target Turkish troops if Ankara doesn’t cease its support for the UN-backed Government of National Accord. Turkey responded by saying that Haftar and his troops will be considered “legitimate targets” if they attack Turkish troops in the area. After a ceasefire deal in October to end the Libyan conflict, could this upend a shaky peace? Also, we talk about the new free trade deal between the UK and Turkey. Guests Ahmed Sewehli Political Analyst Murat Aslan Researcher at SETA Atilla Bastirmaci Deputy Director General for EU Affairs at Turkey's Trade Ministry Chris Gaunt Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey

Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar has threatened to use direct force against Turkish troops if Ankara doesn’t cease its support for the UN-backed Government of National Accord. It comes as Ankara extended the deployment of its troops in Libya for another 18 months. Turkey was quick to react to Haftar's threat, saying the warlord would face "heavy consequences" and his forces become legitimate targets if the Turkish forces and interests were threatened. So how would this complicate the situation in Libya jeapordise the efforts of international community just a few months after a ceasefire deal was signed to end the conflict? Guests Ahmed Sewehli Political Analyst Murat Aslan Researcher at SETA

*) Russia deploys peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh The first group of Russian peacekeepers has been deployed to the Karabakh conflict zone hours after the ceasefire deal. The deal came after significant advances by Azerbaijani forces that prompted the Armenian-backed leader of Nagorno-Karabakh to say it was impossible for them to carry on. Several ceasefires announced over the past six weeks crumbled almost immediately but the current agreement appeared to be holding. *) Libya talks reach election breakthrough - UN United Nations-led talks on Libya’s future have decided to hold elections within 18 months. Libya has been in chaos since 2011 and divided since 2014 between rival factions in east and west. The internationally recognised Government of National Accord holds power in the capital Tripoli, while warlord Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army holds sway in the east. *) US warns of more China sanctions over Hong Kong moves The United States has warned of further sanctions against China after the ousting of four anti-Beijing lawmakers. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien said the US would continue to identify and sanction those responsible for extinguishing Hong Kong's freedom. The US has imposed sanctions on four more officials accused of curbing freedoms in Hong Kong. *) Iran enriched uranium 12 times over limit set in 2015 deal - IAEA The United Nations nuclear agency has reported that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium is now more than 12 times the limit set in a 2015 deal. The report said that as of November 2, Iran's total enriched uranium stockpile was almost 2443 kilogrammes. The 2015 nuclear deal allows Iran only to keep a stockpile of 202.8 kilogrammes. And finally… *) New PlayStation hits market ready for battle with latest Xbox Sony's PlayStation 5 goes on sale just two days after rival Microsoft released its newest Xbox. Currently, the PS5 is only available in Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, North America and South Korea. Gamers elsewhere will have to wait until November 19 to purchase it.

Nearly a decade after the downfall of Gaddafi, the UN brokered a permanent cease-fire agreement between Libya's rival parties in Geneva. The warring sides agreed that foreign troops and mercenaries would leave. But Libya's defence minister said the ceasefire will not affect the Government of National Accord's ties and cooperation with Turkey. So, will the pause in fighting hold? And can Libya find a lasting political solution? Guests: Murat Aslan Security Analyst Guma el Gamaty Head of Taghyeer Party

Turkish-made drones are at the forefront of Azerbaijan's fight to reclaim the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh enclave from ethnic Armenian control. Azerbaijan claims success with the Turkish weapons and is touting the drones as a potential game-changer in the decades-long, on-off conflict. "They are very modern sophisticated weapons," said Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev in a recent interview with France 24.   "And I can tell you, only by the drones which we acquired from Turkey, we destroyed Armenian military equipment worth one billion dollars," he added.  Turkish drones are central to Ankara's backing of its close ally Azerbaijan in the conflict, military support which Armenia has condemned.  The apparent success of Turkish drones underscores Turkey's growing reputation as a significant player in the growing realm of drone weaponry.   "Turkey has accumulated a large amount of experience infrastructure, to integrate design and manufacture such advanced drones," said Turkish Defense analyst Arda Mevlutoglu.   "Not maybe as sophisticated as the United States, but surely being able to compete with Chinese drones. Turkish drones are rapidly gaining technology advantage."   Turkey uses its drones across the region, from supporting Syrian rebels to fighting against Kurdish insurgents in Iraq.   Turkish drones decisive in war in Libya Turkish-made drones also helped turn the tide in favour of Ankara-backed forces of the Government of National Accord in the Libyan civil war.   "Armed drones electronic war systems have helped Turkey to carry out a more hard power-oriented foreign and security policy," said Sinan Ulgen of the Istanbul-based Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies.   "It essentially allowed Turkey to rely on its technological edge," he added, "which is now allowing Turkey to engage in this cross-border power projection and reliance on hard power much more than in the past."   Cheaper and without political strings Cheaper than their American counterparts and battle-proven, Turkish drones are winning customers, from Ukraine to Qatar to several unnamed African countries.   Turkish drones also have another critical edge over western competitors.  "Turkey doesn't have political strings attached to sophisticated equipment, unlike European counterparts or the United States," says analyst Mevlutoglu.   "So Turkey can offer sophisticated Nato-grade equipment with little if not zero, political strings attached. This means that for the Middle East and African market, Turkey has become a very serious competitor," added Mevlutoglu.  Backlash against civilian death toll But the growing deadly civilian toll in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, blamed in part on Turkish-made drones, is drawing an international backlash.   Canada has frozen the sale of critical components, a move that exposes the Turkish drone program's vulnerability.   "We still can't produce engines," said political consultant Atilla Yesilada of consulting firm Global Source Partners. "Obviously, we don't have a chip factory, so all the smartware, software in these drones, or whatever weapons we are talking about, must be imported from the West or China."    Ankara has criticised Canada's decision. But technology could yet be on the side of the Turkish drone industry.  "It's more than easy to create alternatives," said Mevlutoglu. "That is the magic thing about the drone sector. The technology to develop sophisticated drones has become cheaper and more accessible by the day."

On this episode of Going Underground, we firstly speak to the head of the UN Support Mission to Libya, Stephanie Turco Williams. She discusses the situation regarding the coronavirus pandemic in the country, which has been in turmoil since the killing of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, how foreign interference and arms coming in from abroad are fuelling the ongoing war in Libya, the announcement that Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj will resign as prime minister of the Government of National Accord, the need for reconciliation between the GNA and Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army, the ongoing refugee crisis, and more! Finally, Going Underground’s deputy editor, Charlie Cooke, speaks to Julian Sands, actor in the film ‘The Painted Bird’, which portrays the horrors of World War II through a child’s eyes, who suffers horrific abuse while seeking safety. He discusses the relevance of the film today as millions around the world are forced to flee their homes due to war, the themes of the film, which are relevant to modern-day politics with hostility towards refugees and migrants, the coronavirus crisis and its effect on the film and entertainment industry, and much more!

Middle East analyst Nervana Mahmoud told Ahval editor David Lepeska that war is a real possibility in the eastern Mediterranean, that Turkey has taken all decision-making power away from Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Accord and that Turkish President Erdogan has lost significant support among Arabs in the past decade for failing to live up to his promises. 

Turkey's involvement in Libya over the past several months has been decisive in changing the balance of power on the ground. While a potential takeover of the Government of National Accord by Haftar's forces happened toward the end of 2019, Turkish support to the UN-recognized government in Tripoli dramatically changed the course of the conflict. As a proxy struggle plays out between regional powers including diametrically opposed European positions, Turkey's Libya policy has been a major subject of discussion. As there appears to be no international consensus on Libya, Turkey seems to be marching forward with deepening its relationship with the North African country. What is the guiding principle of Turkish policy in Libya? What are some of the shared interests between the two countries? What is the Turkish view on how to arrive at a resolution of the conflict in Libya? To discuss these questions and analyze Turkish policy in Libya, SETA DC is pleased to host an expert panel discussion. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/seta-dc/support

Africa's most oil-rich nation has turned into a battleground for half a dozen foreign states. In the west, is the UN-backed Government of National Accord and NATO. In the east, is warlord Khalifa Haftar. Russia, Egypt, Turkey, the UAE and France are all involved. But why is Washington staying out of it? And what is Moscow's endgame in the war-torn country? Guests: Jonathan M Winer Former US Special Envoy for Libya Anas El Gomati Director of the Sadeq Institute Samuel Ramani Russian Foreign Policy Researcher at Oxford University Marco Carnelos Libya Adviser to former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi

More than a year ago, Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar launched a relentless bombing campaign on Tripoli as he fought to oust the country’s UN-backed government. But his offensive has failed: the Government of National Accord has cleared Tripoli of Haftar's illegal militias. So where does that leave the country, is it ready for peace talks? Anas el Gomati Director of the Sadeq Institute Vehbi Baysan Associate Professor at Ibn Haldun University

Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar's assault on Tripoli has failed and the UN-backed Government of National Accord has cleared the capital of his illegal militias. Now the GNA has its eyes set on the strategic city of Sirte. So, how will these gains change the situation in Libya? Plus, Athens is stepping up its rhetoric against Turkey after saying it’s ready for confrontation. What's behind the rising tensions between Greece and Turkey? Guests: Anas el Gomati Director of the Sadeq Institute Vehbi Baysan Associate Professor at Ibn Haldun University Ali Demirdas Political Analyst Tarik Oguzlu Professor of International Relations at Antalya Science University

The state of Libya, which is a country of significant strategic value in the south-central Mediterranean, continues to be torn between domestic forces supported by regional and global powers. The winning side of the ongoing conflict between the Western-based Government of National Accord and the Eastern-based Libyan National Army, will grant their respective allies control of major economic and energy benefits. Panel: - Jonathan Hessen, Host. - Amir Oren, Analyst. - Dr. Eran Lerman, Vice President of the Jerusalem Institute of Strategy and Security and Lecturer at Shalem College (Central Israel). - Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak, Research Fellow at the Moshe Dayan Center (Central Israel). Articles on the topic: https://www.tv7israelnews.com/libya-conflict-intensifies-amid-foreign-intervention/ https://www.tv7israelnews.com/libyas-gna-attacks-rebels-with-turkish-drones/ https://www.tv7israelnews.com/un-condemns-lna-attacks-in-libya-and-renews-call-for-truce-with-gna/ #IsraelNews #tv7israelnews #newsupdates Rally behind our vision - https://www.tv7israelnews.com/donate/ To perches TV7 Israel News merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/tv7-israel-news-store Live view of Jerusalem - https://www.tv7israelnews.com/jerusalem-live-feed/ Visit our website - http://www.tv7israelnews.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/tv7israelnews Like TV7 Israel News on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/tv7israelnews Follow TV7 Israel News on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tv7israelnews/ Follow TV7 Israel News on Twitter - https://twitter.com/tv7israelnews

The Libyan civil war has become one of the world’s most complex and dangerous proxy struggles. Outside powers are pouring money, troops, and weapons into the conflict—including a recent Russian deployment of at least 14 fighter jets (conveniently stripped of all Russian markings). Mercenaries from Russia, Sudan, and Chad are involved in the fighting, along with militiamen from Syria, and Libya may also be the most active drone warfare theater in the world. The chaos makes it virtually impossible to suppress the significant ISIS and al-Qaeda cells in the country, let alone mount an effective response to COVID-19.Join us as Mohammed Ali Abdallah, a key official in the U.N.-recognized Government of National Accord, delivers an update on the many issues confronting his country. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In Libya, reports have emerged of the discovery of eight mass graves in the hilltop town of Tarhouna.The area had been occupied by General Khalifa Haftar before his troops were pushed back by the UN backed government of National Accord. We speak to American-Ghanaian mother and daughter Dr. Cynthia Kudji and Dr. Jasmine Kudji. They graduated medical school at the same time and will soon be working in the same hospital. Plus activist Tisiyenji Ngoma in Zambia who organises activities to spread awareness about coronavirus myths.

Welcome back to our first news roundup in a few weeks. As the title says, the Govt. of National Accord is on the offensive in Libya. The US Space Force successfully launched its first mission and more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/analyze--educate/support

The internationally recognised Libyan government based in Tripoli is not only battling a deadly virus, but also illegal militias loyal to warlord Khalifa Haftar. His year-long assault on the capital has left scores of civilians dead. But now, the Government of National Accord is on the offensive, advancing on the strategic al-Watiya airbase just southwest of Tripoli. So are we at a turning point in the Libyan civil war? Is warlord Haftar starting to see his international support wane? Guests: Guma el Gamaty Special Envoy of the Libyan Prime Minister Murat Aslan Researcher at SETA Centre

The internationally recognised Libyan government based in Tripoli is not only battling a deadly virus, but also illegal militias loyal to warlord Khalifa Haftar. His year-long assault on the capital has left scores of civilians dead. But now, the Government of National Accord is on the offensive, advancing on a strategic airbase just southwest of Tripoli. So, is this a turning point in the Libyan civil war? Plus, across Europe and North America, care centres for the elderly have borne a heavy burden during the coronavirus pandemic. But the World Health Organization recently praised Turkey for the measures it's taken at nursing homes to contain the virus. We'll look at Ankara's elderly care policy and how it's led to comparatively fewer deaths compared to other nations. Guests: Guma el Gamaty Special Envoy of the Libyan Prime Minister Murat Aslan Researcher at SETA Centre Meltem Gulhan Halil Professor at Hacettepe University Irshad Ali Shaikh Health Security Lead at WHO Turkey

Listen to WACA's KNOW NOW conference call from Wednesday, April 15, at 2:00-2:30 PM ET, featuring Mohammed Ali Abdallah, Political Advisor for U.S. Affairs to the Prime Minister of Libya (leader of the U.S.-UN-recognized Government of Libya). The conflict and violence that has handcuffed Libya's progress post-revolution continues to plague Libyans’ efforts to revitalize and rebuild the war-torn country.  In cooperation with the international community, Libyans established the interim Government of National Accord to unite the country’s factions and build a stable civil society. In April 2019, Khalifa Haftar and his forces launched an attack on Tripoli to overthrow the GNA, instigating a war that over the past year has killed more than 2,200 people, displaced over 200,000, and made oil-rich Libya the center of an international proxy. One year after Haftar began his advance on Tripoli, listen as Mr. Abdallah and WACA President and CEO Bill Clifford discuss the state of the war in Libya, the role of external powers, and prospects for resolution.

It is almost one year since the forces of Libya's exiled strongman, General Khalid Haftar, attacked the capital Tripoli, and the UN backed Government of National Accord.

The Libya talks in Berlin brought together the country's warring sides but most of the pressure was directed at foreign powers fueling the country’s five-year plus conflict. Despite an agreement to enforce a UN arms embargo and calls for a viable ceasefire, warlord Khalifa Haftar continues his assault on Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord. Will the militia leader’s foreign backers abide by the embargo and stop pouring in weapons and cash? And is Haftar becoming a liability? Guests: Bilgehan Ozturk Political Analyst at SETA Research Centre Emadeddin Badi Non-Resident Scholar at the Middle East Institute Irina Zviagelskaya Professor at IMEMO

*)Democrats urge Republican ‘courage’ at Trump impeachment trial Democrats have accused President Donald Trump at the Senate impeachment trial of cheating to ensure re-election in November. They called for “courage” by the president’s fellow Republicans while considering the case against him. The Senate was hearing opening arguments from the prosecution on the second day of Trump's impeachment trial. *)China locks down Wuhan to stop virus spread China has shut down the city of Wuhan as the number of cases and deaths from a novel coronavirus type rise. The virus appeared last month in Wuhan, and the vast majority of China's 571 cases have been in the city. Other cases have been reported in the United States, Thailand, Japan and South Korea. *)Rockets target Libya airport ahead of regional peace talks Libya has been forced to close Tripoli’s airspace once again, following threats from warlord Khalifa Haftar to shoot down commercial planes. The UN-backed Government of National Accord said Mitiga airport was hit with six rockets and called the strikes a violation of the ceasefire. This comes after a truce was agreed with world leaders last weekend in Berlin. *)Many killed in tribal attack in disputed South Sudan border region Suspected Misseriya tribesmen killed at least 19 people in the Abyei border region of South Sudan, UN peacekeepers said. There have long been tensions between the nomadic Arab Misseriya tribe who cross over from Sudan to graze livestock and the South Sudanese in the area. Local Abyei authorities put the death toll at 32. And finally, *)New rules could bump emotional-support animals from planes The days of passengers bringing pets on airplanes as emotional-support animals could be coming to an end. The US Department of Transportation has proposed a plan to ban untrained service animals on flights. This could mean untrained dogs and cats, and more exotic companions such as pigs, pheasants and snakes might lose flight privileges.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Jodi Dean, a professor of Political Science at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and her latest book is “Comrade.”Six Democrats will be on stage in Iowa tonight in the final debate before the Iowa caucuses. The latest poll shows Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in first place, followed by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and former Vice President Joe Biden. The race appears to have turned nasty in recent days as Sanders and Warren have clashed and as Biden tries to reclaim a share of the lead that could take him into New Hampshire and South Carolina. The Trump Administration’s narrative that General Qassem Soleimani was involved in planning for imminent attacks against US embassies and that this was the reason for his murder is beginning to unravel. President Trump said that attacks were imminent against four US embassies abroad. But Defense Secretary Esper said that was not true, and even Secretary of State Pompeo said that his department had not received word of any imminent attacks. So why did Donald Trump kill Soleimani? Meanwhile, European powers have triggered a clause of the Iran nuclear deal that could lead to the agreement’s final demise. Ben Norton, a journalist with the Grayzone and co-host of the Moderate Rebels podcast, joins the show. President Trump is preparing to divert another $7.2 billion in Pentagon funds to border wall construction. That’s five times what Congress authorized him to spend in the 2020 budget. This is the second consecutive year that the Administration has taken money away from military construction and counternarcotics and spent it on border wall construction. Brian and John speak with Juan José Gutiérrez, the executive director of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition. Talks between the rival governments of Libya -- the Government of National Accord in the west and forces aligned with General Khalifa Hafter in the East -- ended without a formal agreement for a ceasefire. But the Russian government, which was brokering the peace talks, is expressing optimism that such a deal could be finalized in the near future. Dr. Gönül Tol, the founding director of The Middle East Institute’s Center for Turkish Studies, and a former professor who has taught courses on Islamist movements in Western Europe, Turkey, world politics, and the Middle East, joins the show. Haitian President Jovenel Moise began his first day of one-man rule yesterday upon the end of the country’s bicameral legislature. Haiti failed to hold legislative and local elections in October, so the lower chamber was disbanded. And two thirds of the upper chamber also left office. President Moise said that he would take the money that would have been spent on legislative salaries and spend it instead on education, but protesters accuse his administration of extreme corruption. Kim Ives, an editor of the newspaper Haiti Liberte, joins Brian and John. Today is Loud & Clear’s weekly series about the biggest economic news of the week with a special new guest -- Prof. Richard Wolff. Professor Wolff, a professor of Economics Emeritus, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and founder of the organization Democracy at Work whose latest book is “Understanding Socialism,” joins the show.Tuesday’s regular segment is called Women & Society with Dr. Hannah Dickinson. This weekly segment is about the major issues, challenges, and struggles facing women in all aspects of society. Hannah Dickinson, an associate professor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and an organizer with the Geneva Women’s Assembly; Nathalie Hrizi, an educator, a political activist, and the editor of Breaking the Chains, a women’s magazine, which you can find at patreon.com/BreakChainsMag; and Loud & Clear producer Nicole Roussell join the show.

On FPF #440, I cover all the breaking news from Iraq, including Iran's missile attack on the al-Asad Airbase in Iraq. The attack was a response to the US assassination of Soleimani. The assassination has provoked moves by several actors. US and allies are moving troops in and out of Iraq. The Iraqi government voted to kick Americans out of Iraq. Trump took to Twitter to make several threats of what would happen if Iran responded by harming American interests.  Links Around the Empire - Elijah Magnier Soleimani Update Trump said Soleimani was killed because he had killed Americans and planned to kill more. After the killing of Soleimani, Secretary of State Pompeo said the US carried out the attack to prevent an inanimate attack that endangered 100s of US soldiers. Pompeo said the US  is committed to de-escalation. [Link] Daniel Larison explains the Trump admin’s intelligence that Soleimani presented an imminent threat to Americans. The legal authority for the strike is very thin. [Link] The Department of Homeland Security says there are no credible threats to the US homeland. [Link] Iran says Soleimani was in Iraq to give a message to Saudi Arabia. Saudi and Iran have been working through Iraqi back channels to reduce tensions. [Link] Iran names the Quds Force deputy Esmail Ghaani to replace Soleimani as the head of the Quds force. [Link] Iran said it will retaliate against the US for the killing of Soleimani. [Link] Iran says it will no longer abide by the limits set in the Nuclear Deal. The US withdrew from the deal in May of 2018, and at the time, Iran was still complying with the deal. After the US left the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran, Iran has stepped back from its commitments to the deal. Iran will continue to allow IAEA inspections of its facilities. [Link] The US urges all citizens to leave Iraq. [Link] US oil workers in southern Iraq are leaving the country following the US assassination of Soleimani. [Link] The US will deploy about 3,500 paratroopers to the Middle East. [Link] The US will also deploy a task force of Army Rangers. [Link] The US deploys six B-52 bombers to Deigo Garcia. The US deployed B-52s to May and those returned to the US a few months after. [Link] Germany is moving 30 of its 120 soldiers deployed to Iraq to Jordan or Kuwait. [Link] The US will designate the Iraqi Shia militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq a terror group. [Link] The US-led coalition fighting the US says its new mission is to protest coalition forces. [Link] The coalition has also paused the training of Iraqi forces. [Link] Trump threatens to strike 52 Iranian targets if Iran responds to the American assassination of Soleimani. [Link] Secretary of Defense Esper suggests the Pentagon may not follow Trump’s order to commit war crimes and target Iranian cultural sites. [Link] Trump ‘informs’ Congress through Twitter that if Iran targets Americans he will strike back, even with disproportionate force. [Link] Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi says the House will vote on a War Powers Resolution to limit Trump’s war-making abilities against Iran. [Link] Trump gives a report to Congress on the operation and decision to assassinate Soleimani. The entire document is classified. [Link] NATO suspended the training of Iraqi forces. [Link] Americans respond to the assassination with protests in cities across the country. [Link] On Saturday, several reports of rockets hitting Iraqi bases and various sites around Baghdad. [Link] Three Rockets hit Baghdad on Sunday. [Link] Iraq’s prime minister - along with most other high rankings and influential Shia Iraqis - condemn the assassination of Soleimani. [Link] Iraq's parliament passed a resolution that calls for working to have the withdrawal of all foreign forces. The resolution targets the US. Iraq’s Prime Minister - who is in a caretaker’s role - said he is working on a plan to expel all foreign troops. [Link] In response to the resolution, Trump says the US will not leave Iraq until Iraq pay the US for military infrastructure the US built. Trump says he can force the Iraqis to pay through sanctions. [Link] A leaked Department of Defense memo to Iraq appeared to suggest the US was withdrawing from Iraq. Esper said the memo was poorly worded and incorrect. The memo was informing the Iraqi government of increased US troop movements in Iraq. [Link] Kenya Al-Shabaab carries out an attack on a Kenyan military base that houses US forces. [Link] One US soldier and two Department of Defense contractors were killed in the attack. [Link] The US has deployed additional forces to Kenya to increase security. Al-Shabaab carried out an attack on a telecommunications mast. Four civilians were killed in the attack. [Link] Libya Turkey will begin deploying forces to support Libya’s UN-recognized government, the Government of National Accord. The government's military was attacked by the Libyan National Army on Saturday, killing 33. [Link] The Libyan National Army is advancing on the city of Sirte. The Government of National Accord has held Sirte since it was liberated from the Islamic State with the help of US airpower in 2016. The LNA claims to control the city. [Link] Sahel Fourteen people died when a bus of students hit an explosive device in Burkina Faso It is unclear who planted the explosive device. [Link] At least 30 people were killed when a bomb exploded on a bridge in Nigeria. [Link]

Daily News Brief for Wednesday, January 8th: *) Ukraine passenger jet crashes in Iran, killing at least 170 A Ukrainian passenger plane has crashed near Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, killing at least 170 people. Iranian authorities say a fire struck one of the Boeing 737-800’s engines which is an older model of the Boeing 737 MAX. The plane underwent its last technical maintenance on January 6, 2020,” Ukraine International Airlines said. *) Iran fires missiles at US troop bases in Iraq Staying with Iran, it has carried out retaliatory, ballistic missile strikes on US troops at Ain al Asad military base in Anbar and a base in Erbil in Iraq. Iran said it has now ended its reprisal over the US drone strike that killed its General Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani was buried shortly before the attacks. His burial was postponed when at least 50 people were killed in a stampede at his public funeral in Kerman. *) Haftar forces take Libya’s Sirte Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar's militia has seized the coastal city of Sirte from the UN-backed Government of National Accord. Haftar has set his eyes on Tripoli, launching an offensive on the capital in April to unseat the GNA. The UN-recognised Government of National Accord had taken back control of Sirte from Daesh in 2016. *) Australia braces for more bushfires To Australia now, where officials have warned people to evacuate Victoria state ahead of another heatwave. There are fears the heat would trigger intense bushfires that have already destroyed eight million hectares of land and sent smoke clouds to Brazil. An estimated one billion animals have died, more than 2,000 homes destroyed and 26 people killed. And finally, *) Facebook to ban ‘deepfake’ videos Facebook says it is banning “deepfake” videos in an effort to fight online manipulation. Deepfake videos are false but realistic clips created with artificial intelligence and sophisticated tools. But the new rules won't include parody or satire, or clips edited just to change the order of words.

Early in December of 2019, Turkey signed a series of agreements with the Government of National Accord in Libya regarding maritime delimitations in the Mediterranean, mutual security assistance, and military relations. The agreement generated much discussion in the international media as it would have implications for Turkey's exclusive economic zones. The U.S. Congress recently passed legislation to boost funding for energy development in Cyprus and Greece, as well as increasing security assistance. As Turkey asserts its rights in the Mediterranean, the US-Turkey relationship will likely be impacted by the potential disputes in the Mediterranean. SETADC is pleased to host an event to discuss Turkey's Mediterranean policy with Cagri Erhan of Altınbas University and Burhanettin Duran of SETA Foundation. This panel is moderated by Kilic B. Kanat. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/seta-dc/support

Daily News Brief for Friday, January 3rd: *)Top Iran commander Qasem Soleimani killed in US strike The US has killed the head of Iran’s elite Al Quds force Qasem Soleimani in an air strike near the international airport in Iraq’s Baghdad. Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, a Hashd al Shaabi leader, an Iraqi paramilitary force closely allied with Iran, was also killed in the attack. Iran has vowed “severe revenge,” saying Soleimani was killed by "the most cruel of those on earth". *) Mass evacuations in Australia as weather threatens more fires The Australian navy has begun evacuating around one thousand people stranded on the east coast of the fire-ravaged country. This comes as weather this weekend threatens to push more fires with high temperatures and strong winds. At least 20 people have died, dozens are missing, and more than 1,300 homes have been damaged as fires burned an area nearly double the size of Belgium. *) Turkish parliament ratifies Libya troop deployment Turkey’s parliament has approved the deployment of troops to Libya with a 60 percent majority. The decision to send military assets came at the request of the UN-backed government in Tripoli, which is struggling to maintain its grip on power. The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord is facing an incursion into the capital by warlord Khalifa Haftar's militia. *) Indonesia plans cloud seeding as flooding death toll hits 43 Indonesia will carry out cloud seeding to prevent rain over capital Jakarta after deadly flooding and landslides. Indonesia will shoot salt flares into clouds in an attempt to break up rain clouds over Jakarta. This attempt at weather modification comes as floods and landslides have killed over 43 people and displaced tens of thousands. And finally, *) Female directors in Hollywood reach record highs in 2019 Women are inching closer to at least denting Hollywood’s towering glass ceiling. Women directors reached record levels in 2019 as they made up 10.6 percent of top movies with 12 directing top-grossing films, studies show. These films include "Frozen II," "Captain Marvel" and "Hustlers". Women comprised 20 percent of directors, writers, producers, editors and cinematographers on the top 100 grossing films of 2019.

Turkey and Libya signed an agreement laying out their respective maritime jurisdictions in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Turkey has said that the memorandum, signed with the UN-recognised Government of National Accord, is in line with international law. However, it has drawn criticism from Greece, Greek-administered Cyprus, Egypt and even the US. So will there be ramifications? And what impact will it have on the regional balance of power? Guests: Guma el Gamaty Special Envoy of the GNA President Nursin Atesoglu Guney Dean at Bahcesehir Cyprus University

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Cindy Sheehan, an anti-war activist and journalist whose son Casey was killed during the Iraq War; by Patrick Lawrence, the author of Time No Longer: Americans After the American Century and a columnist at The Nation; and by Greg Mello, the Executive Director of the Los Alamos Study Group.President Trump outlined his foreign policy vision that includes an increasingly adversarial view of Russia and China, a tougher focus on what he calls “rogue states,” and increased counter terrorism operations.The United Nations Security Council is considering a draft resolution that would render Donald Trump’s decision to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem “null and void”. Palestine's ambassador to the UK, Manuel Hassassian, joins the show. The Organization of American States has called for a new election in Honduras, as that country’s incumbent president appears to have stolen the race from a popular opposition candidate.Jeanette Charles, who has worked as the Honduras Program Liaison and Southwest Regional director of the solidarity organization Witness for Peace, joins Brian and John. A conservative billionaire and former president has won Chile's presidential election runoff. The election is a clear move to the right for a country which is currently led by the center-left alliance. Karla Martin, who was an organizer in the student movement while she was attending the University of Chile, joins the show. President Trump said yesterday that he was not considering firing Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Dan Kovalik, a labor lawyer and author of 'The Plot to Scapegoat Russia' joins the show.The United Nations mandate for Libya’s Government of National Accord expired yesterday, casting doubt on the immediate future of the country’s coalition government. International human rights lawyer Christopher Black discusses the ongoing turbulence in Libya along with Sputnik News analyst Walter Smolarek.

Congress goes on vacation; the Executive Branch escalates a war. In this episode, we look back at the 2011 Libya regime change to understand why we are bombing again in 2016. Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Sound Clip Sources: Hearings Department of Defense Libya Briefing: Defense Department Briefing, Peter Cook, Department of Defense Press Secretary, August 1, 2016. Timestamps and Transcripts {00:31} Peter Cook: I want to begin today with an update on the campaign to defeat ISIL wherever it tries to spread. Today at the request of Libya’s Government of National Accord, the United States conducted precision air strikes against ISIL targets in Sirte, Libya to support GNA-affiliated forces seeking to defeat ISIL and its primary stronghold in Libya. These strikes were authorized by the president, following a recommendation from Secretary Carter and Chairman Dunford. They are consistent with our approach of combating ISIL by working with capable and motivated local partners. GNA-aligned forces have had success in recapturing territory from ISIL, and additional U.S. strikes will continue to target ISIL in Sirte and enable the GNA to make a decisive, strategic advance. As you may have seen earlier today, Prime Minister al-Sarraj, the head of the GNA, announced that he had specifically requested these strikes as part of the GNA’s campaign to defeat ISIL in Libya. As we’ve said for some time, the United States supports the GNA. We would be prepared to carefully consider any requests for military assistance. We have now responded to that request, and we’ll continue to work closely with the GNA to help the government restore stability and security in Libya. {05:37} Reporter: And then how long the campaign will last? Cook: Again, we’ll be in—this will depend on the requests of support from the GNA, and we’re proceeding along that line. We don’t have an endpoint at this particular moment in time, but we’ll be working closely with the GNA. {13:35} Reporter: Previous intelligence estimates had ISIS at a fighting force of around—up to 6,000, I believe. Is that the current assessment that you guys have? Cook: The assessment numbers that I’ve seen, and, again, I would—it’s hard to gauge ISIL numbers anywhere, but I’ve seen that number, at least our assessment is that it’s been reduced, and the number may be closer to 1,000 now. Reporter: That was in Libya, all together? Cook: In Libya, all together. Reporter: Okay. And lastly— Cook: I’m sorry. That’s specific to Sirte, but that’s the predominant area where ISIL has, in terms of geography, has occupied. So… Reporter: Got it. {15:50} Reporter: So there was a strike today, one in February that you confirmed previously. Is this the third strike now? Was there one before the one in February? Cook: Yes, there was an earlier strike. I believe it was November was the first strike against ISIL by U.S. military. {16:50} Reporter: In answer to a previous question, you said initially there were no U.S. forces on the ground, and then you seemed to clarify later you meant specifically to this operation. Are you saying that right now there are—are you making it clear there are no U.S. teams of any kind on the ground, or are you just specifically saying there are no U.S. on the ground related to this particular operation? Cook: I’m—this is specific to this operation. I’m not going to get into what we’ve talked about previously, the small number of U.S. forces that will be on the ground in Libya. They’ve been in and out, and I’m not going to get into that any further. {24:50} Reporter: You keep comparing this to the strikes at the—strikes in November and February, which were going after a high-value individuals. They were after specific individuals versus my understanding of this—correct me if I’m wrong—is this is the beginning of a campaign, an air campaign in Libya, in which the U.S. military is supporting GNA militias who have pledged their loyalty to the GNA. Is that fair? Is this the beginning of—president has approved these strikes and they will continue until Sirte is liberated. Cook: They will continue as long as the GNA is requesting—Reporter: But they don’t have to put in the request every single time. There is now this blanket authority that exists for the U.S. military to strike when the GNA puts in their requests, right? Cook: These requests—these requests will be carefully coordinated with the GNA. This all originates from GNA requests for assistance, and the president has given the authority for us to have—to carefully consider those requests. Reporter: Okay. But just to be clear, because I think comparing this to these two previous strikes that were going after individuals, each one, it sounds as if this is—these were strikes that were carried out today and that’s to be the end of it. But this is the beginning of an air campaign over Libya, correct? Cook: We are prepared to carry out more strikes in coordination with the GNA if those requests are forthcoming, and so— Reporter: Again, the request has been granted, right? There was—with the GNA— Cook: The authorization has been granted. {28:30} Reporter: Under what legal authority are these strikes being conducted? Cook: The 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force, similar to our previous air strikes in Libya. {33:17} Reporter And one last thing. You’ve made many references to civilians in Sirte. What is the U.S. estimate of how many civilians remain in Sirte? Cook: I’ll try to get that number for you; I don’t know that offhand. {35:00} Reporter: Peter, were leaflets dropped on that tank and those vehicles before the air strikes? Cook: I’m not aware that they were. Hearing: U.S. Africa Command and National Guard Bureau Nominations, Senate Armed Services Committee, June 21, 2016. Witnesses: Lieutenant General Thomas Waldhauser, Director for Joint Force Development for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, nominee for AFRICOM director Joseph Lengyel, Chief of National Guard Bureau Timestamps and Transcripts {20:35} Lt. General Waldhauser: We have two significant objectives for the United States: one is to get the Government of National Accord up and running, and the second is to disrupt Libya—disrupt ISIL inside Libya. {22:40} Senator John McCain: So, right now you don’t think we need additional U.S. military presence. Waldhauser: At the moment, no.McCain: “At the moment” means to me, we don’t have a strategy. I don’t know what “at the moment”—unfortunately, this administration has reacted “at the moment” with incrementalism, mission creep, a gradual escalation in Iraq and Syria, and I don’t want to see the same thing in Libya, but I’m beginning to see the same thing. Do we have a strategy for Libya, or are we just acting in an ad hoc fashion, which was—it’s been the case, as we’ve watched ISIS establish, metastasize, and grow in Libya. Waldhauser: Well, as indicated, the two strategic objectives that we do have for Libya is to assist the— McCain: I know the objectives; do we have a strategy? Waldhauser: To continue to support that right at this point in time, I am not aware of any overall grand strategy at this point. {1:03:55} Senator Angus King: Does the GNA control the military and the police forces? Waldhauser: Senator, and to my knowledge I would not use the word “control;” I think at the moment these militias, it seems to me, appear to be working in a direction that Sarraj would like to go, but I would, at this point and if confirmed I’ll look into this, but I would not use the word “control” for the GNA over the militias. King: But ultimately that’s going to have to happen if they’re going to control the territory. Waldhauser: Ultimately it will have to happen because you won’t have a secure and working government unless they have control of a military, and in this case numerous militias across that country. Hearing: U.S. Policy Toward Libya, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, June 15, 2016. Witness Jonathan Winer, State Department Special Envoy for Libya Timestamps and Transcripts {20:50} Senator Ben Cardin: Could you tell us whether the administration is anticipating sending up an authorization to Congress for its military campaign in Libya? Winer: I don’t know of a military campaign in Libya being contemplated, Senator. {28:15} Winer: I think that the problem is not so much pumping it out and losing it—there’s still room for further exploration, further development—as it is the problem of too much money going out and not enough coming in, where the IMF has said to us, for example, there is no solution, no reforms, they can take if they’re not producing their oil. Senator David Perdue: Their debt situation’s already in a crisis level. Winer: Their very difficult economic situation right now is a result of not pumping their oil. They should be pumping 1.5 million a day; they’ve been pumping less than 400,000 a day. Last week I talked with the head of the petroleum forces and said, you’ve got to turn the oil back on. Now he now supports the Government of National Accord, his forces have been fighting to get rid of Daesh, and I think that oil is going to be turned on. It’s absolutely critical. There are forces in the West—there’s Zintan, they’ve shutdown formed in 40,000 barrels a day because some of their concerns have not met.Perdue: And does ISIS, since that’s such an important economic issue—I’m sorry to interrupt— Winer: Yes, sir. Perdue: But, does ISIS pose a threat to that oil production, even if they could turn it up? Winer: To the production, yes. To exploitation, probably not. The pipelines run north-south, south-north, and they are not really exploitable in Libya in the way they’ve been exploitable in Iraq. Daesh did attack the oil crescent area and destroyed some terminals, some areas where oil was being stored at the terminals, and that’s probably reduced their capacity some, but it’s quite limited damage at this point. One of the things that’s really impressive about the efforts against Daesh in the Sirte region and the oil crescent region is it’s begun to push them away from their ability to threaten Libya’s future oil production. So that’s a significant development. But the Libyans need to draw together and address one another’s grievances so that everybody agrees to allow the oil to be pumped again. Hearing: The Path Forward in Libya, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, March 3. 2016. Witnesses Fred Wehrey - Senior Associate, Middle East Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Claudia Gazzini - Senior Analyst, Libya, International Crisis Group Timestamps and Transcripts {23:10} Fred Wehrey: I just returned last night from Libya, where I saw first hand the country’s humanitarian plight, political divisions, and the struggle against the self-proclaimed Islamic State. I spoke to the young militia fighters who are on the front lines against the Islamic State. I heard stories from the victims of its atrocities. What struck me most is that Libya’s fragmentation into armed militias, tribes, and towns has created a vacuum that the Islamic State is exploiting, and this dissolution also presents a number of risks for U.S. and Western strategy against the Islamic State. First, there is no national military command through which the U.S. and its allies can channel counterterrorism aid; the country is split between two loose constellations of armed actors, so-called Dignity camp in the East and the Dawn camp in the West. Now, over the last year, these two factions have fragmented, splintered, to the point that they exist in name only, and although the factions signed an agreement in December for a new Government of National Accord, that government remains stillborn and unable to exert its authority. A key stumbling block is the question of who and what faction will control the country’s armed forces, but perhaps most worrisome is that these two camps are still, in my view, more focused on viewing each other as a threat rather than the Islamic State. Many are, in fact, using the danger posed by the Islamic State as a pretext to wage war against local rivals over political supremacy, turf, and economic spoils. Both sides accuse the other of with the Islamic State. {30:24} Claudia Gazzini: The country’s economic situation is also dire. Libya, as you know, is an oil-rich country, but over the past two years, production of crude oil has plummeted because of attacks on oil fields and oil terminals. The drop in oil prices has forced the country to run a deficit of up to two, three billion dollars a month, and this has rapidly drained the country’s reserves of foreign currency, which are now between 50 and 60 billion dollars, less than half of what they were just two years ago. {36:31} Senator Bob Corker Speaking of special operators, right now it appears there’s a wide variety of foreign special operations forces on the ground in Libya. Both U.S. and Europe have bold plans for supporting the GNA. If the GNA is supported under heavy Western hand does that cause—does that not cause them to lack legitimacy in the eyes of Libyans? {38:15} Wehrey: There is the sense that this is the third government, that it’s been imposed, and so, yeah, if there is military support flowing to that government, it could create some dissonance. {58:25} Senator Ed Markey: Dr. Wehrey, the Wall Street Journal recently reported that the United States military and some allies, including France and the UK, have for months been preparing plans for a second intervention into Libya to support a potential Government of National Accord. The report also said that we and our partners have already established a coalition coordinating center in Rome. Sound Clip Sources: News & Documentaries RT Newscast: US Looks On Libya as McDonald’s – Gaddafi’s Son, Reported by Maria Finoshina, RT, June 30, 2011. RT Newscast: Gaddafi Gold-For-Oil, Dollar-Doom Plans Behind Libya 'Mission'?, Reported by Laura Emmett, RT, May 5, 2011. BBC Documentary on Libya: Before Rats Freedom & Democracy in Lybia (2008): Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Additional Hearings, Documentaries, and News Segments Hearing: CIA Intelligence Activities in Libya, Senate Select Intelligence Committee, June 16, 2016. Documentary: Pipeline to Paradise (Gaddafi's Gift to Libya), By Winfried Spinler (2001), Published on YouTube November 14, 2013. Hearing: Examining The U.S. Policy Response to Entrenched African Leadership, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, April 18. 2012. Hillary Clinton CBS New Interview: Hillary Clinton on Gaddafi: We Came, We Saw, He Died, CBS News, October 20, 2011. Hearing: Libya and War Powers, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, June 28, 2011. Hearing: War Powers and U.S. Operations in Libya , House Foreign Affairs Committee, May 25, 2011. Hearing: Perspectives on the Crisis in Libya, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, April 6, 2011. Hearing: U.S. Security Interests in Libya, House Foreign Affairs Committee, March 31, 2011. Hearing: U.S. Operations in Libya, Senate Armed Services Committee, March 29, 2011. U.N. Security Council Meeting on Libya, United Nations Security Council, March 17, 2011. Al Jazeera English Television Broadcast: Libyan Leader Moammar Qadhafi Address, February 22, 2011. Current News Libya 2016 Article: Italy Reportedly Sends Special Forces to Libya By Tom Kington, Defense News, August 11, 2016. Article: US-backed Forces in Libya Liberate Most of IS Group Stronghold of Sirte By News Wires, France 24, August 11, 2016. Article: French Special Forces Withdraw from Libya's Benghazi By Saifuddin al-Trabulsi and Osama Ali, Anadolu Agency, August 11, 2016. Article: U.S. Special Operations Troops Aiding Libyan Forces in Major Battle Against Islamic State By Missy Ryan and Sudarsan Raghavan, The Washington Post, August 9, 2016. Article: Libya: Free Saif ! Free the Nation! By Eric Draitser, Sri Lanka Guardian, August 9, 2016. Press Briefing: United States Department of State Daily Press Briefing, Spokesperson John Kirby, August 2, 2016. Article: Obama Approves 30-day Airstrike Mission Against ISIS in Libya By Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press, Fox News, August 2, 2016. Article: U.S. is Bombing Libya Again, 5 Years After NATO War Destabilized the Country By Ben Norton, Salon, August 2, 2016. Article: Aug. 1: The U.S. Intensifies Its Fight in Libya, Stratfor, August 1, 2016. Article: Gaddafi’s Ghosts: Return of the Libyan Jamahiriya By Dan Glazebrook, RT, July 30, 2016. Article: Deal to Open Libya's Ras Lanuf and Es Sider Oil Ports, Al Jazeera, July 30, 2016. Article: Libya: Tripoli Condemns French Military Involvement, Al Jazeera, July 21, 2016. Article: France Confirms Three Soldiers Killed in Libya, Al Jazeera, July 20, 2016. Article: Freedom for Saif al-Islam Gaddafi! Freedom for Libya! By Eric Draitser, New Eastern Outlook, July 14, 2016. Article: Libya: Leaked Tapes Suggest West Supports Haftar, Al Jazeera, July 9, 2016. Article: Gaddafi Son Saif al-Islam 'Freed After Death Sentence Quashed' By Chris Stephen, The Guardian, July 7, 2016. Article: U.S. Special Forces Take the Fight to ISIS in Libya By Nick Paton Walsh, CNN World News, May 26, 2016. Executive Order by Preseident Barack Obama: Blocking Property And Suspending Entry Into The United States Of Persons Contributing To The Situation In Libya, The White House Office of the Press Secretary, April 19, 2016. Article: Who is Libya’s New Prime Minister-Designate Fayez Al Sarraj?, The National, April 7, 2016. Article: Libya's UN-Backed Government Sails Into Tripoli, Al Jazeera, March 31, 2016. Article: Chief of Libya's New UN-Backed Government Arrives in Tripoli By Chris Stephen, The Guardian, March 30, 2016. Article: Exposing the Libyan Agenda: a Closer Look at Hillary’s Emails By Ellen Brown, Counter Punch, March 14, 2016. Article: Even Critics Understate How Catastrophically Bad the Hillary Clinton-led NATO Bombing of Libya Was By Ben Norton, Salon, March 2, 2016. Article: Hillary Clinton, ‘Smart Power’ and a Dictator’s Fall By Jo Becker and Scott Shane, The New York Times, February 27, 2016. Article: U.S. Scrambles to Contain Growing ISIS Threat in Libya By Eric Schmitt, The New York Times, February 21, 2016. Article: U.S. Bombing in Libya Reveals Limits of Strategy Against ISIS By Declan Walsh, Ben Hubbard and Eric Schmitt, The New York Times, February 19, 2016. Article: Obama Readies to Fight in Libya, Again By Jack Smith, CounterPunch, February 5, 2016. Article: Obama Is Pressed to Open Military Front Against ISIS in Libya By Eric Schmitt, The New York Times, February 4, 2016. Article: Opening a New Front Against ISIS in Libya By The Editorial Board, The New York Times, January 26, 2016. Article: Libyan Oil, Gold, and Qaddafi: The Strange Email Sidney Blumenthal Sent Hillary Clinton In 2011 By Avi Asher-Schapiro, Vice News, January 12, 2016. The Guardian News Reports on Libya The New York Times News about Arab League Additional Reading Libya 2011 to 2015 Article: Syria Exposes Threat Between Obama and Clinton By Peter Baker, The New York Times, October 3, 2015. Article: Gaddafi Loyalists Stage Rare Protest in Eastern Libya, Reuters, August 4, 2015. Article: Where in the World Is the U.S. Military? By David Vine, Politico Magazine, July/August 2015. Article: Tyler Drumheller Was the Man Behind Hillary Clinton's Private Libya Intel, Sources Say By Benjamin Siegel and John Parkinson, ABC News, June 17, 2015. Article: War Crime: NATO Deliberately Destroyed Libya's Water Infrastructure By Nafeez Ahmed, Truthout, May 30, 2015. Article: How NATO Deliberately Destroyed Libya's Water Infrastructure By Nafeez Ahmed, The Cutting Edge, May 13, 2015. Article: Human Trafficker Gets Busy as Libya Migrant Crisis Worsens By Caroline Alexander and Salma El Wardany, Bloomberg, May 10, 2015. Article: East's Bid to Control Libya Oil Wealth Likely to Fail By Ulf Laessing, Reuters, March 23, 2015. Article: Khalifa Haftar Sworn in as Libya Army Chief, Al Jazeera, March 9, 2015. Article: Libya Clashes Force Oil Port Closure, Al Jazeera, December 14, 2014. Article: The Startling Size of US Military Operations in Africa By Nick Turse, Mother Jones, September 6, 2013. Article: Libya’s “Water Wars” and Gaddafi’s Great Man-Made River Project By Mathaba, May 13, 2013. Article: Election Results in Libya Break an Islamist Wave By David D. Kirkpatrick, The New York Times, July 8, 2012. Article: Braving Areas of Violence, Voters Try to Reshape Libya By David D. Kirkpatrick, The New York Times, July 7, 2012. Article: An Erratic Leader, Brutal and Defiant to the End By Neil MacFarquhar, The New York Times, October 20, 2011. Article: Foreign Oil, Gas Firms Returning to Libya, CBS News/Associated Press, September 2, 2011. Article: World Powers Free Up Billions to Rebuild Libya By John Irish and Keith Weir, Reuters, September 1, 2011. Article: The Race is On for Libya's Oil, with Britain and France Both Staking a Claim By Julian Borger and Terry Macalister, The Guardian, September 1, 2011. Article: NATO Bombs the Great Man-Made River, Human Rights Investigations, July 27, 2011. Article: Rebels Say Qaddafi Must Face Trial as Airstrikes Hit Tripoli By Associated Pess, Fox News World, July 22, 2011. Article: Libya Rebels Get Formal Backing, and $30 Billion By Sebnem Arsu and Steven Erlanger, The New York Times, July 15, 2011. Article: Conflict in Libya: U.S. Oil Companies Sit on Sidelines as Gaddafi Maintains Hold By Steven Mufson, The Washington Post, June 10, 2011. Article: AFRICOM's Libyan Expedition By Jonathan Stevenson, Foreign Affairs, May 9, 2011. Article: Nine Killed in NATO Attack on Sirte, Reuters, April 22, 2011. Article: Libyan Rebel Council Forms Oil Company to Replace Qaddafi’s By Bill Varner, Bloomberg, March 22, 2011. Article: France and Britain Lead Military Push on Libya By Steven Erlanger, The New York Times, March 18, 2011. Article: As U.N. Backs Military Action in Libya, U.S. Role Is Unclear By Dan Bilefsky and Mark Landler, The New York Times, March 17, 2011. Article: Clinton Meets in Paris With Libyan Rebel Leader By Steven Lee Myers, The New York Times, March 14, 2011. Article: Map of the Day: This Is Where Libya's Oil Infrastructure Is Located By Joe Weisenthal, Business Insider, February 28, 2011. President Barack Obama Executive Order: Executive Order 13566 --Libya, The White House Office of the Press Secretary, February 25, 2011. Libya Prior to 2011 Article: African Union Names Gaddafi as Head, Al Jazeera, February 2, 2009. Article: The Years of Wheelus By Walter J. Boyne, Air Force Magazine, January 2008. Article: Africa United in Rejecting US Request for Military HQ By Simon Tisdall, The Guardian, June 26, 2007. Article: Behind Gaddafi's Diplomatic Turnaround By Scott McLeod, Time, May 18, 2006. Article: Libya's Thirst for 'Fossil Water' By John Watkins, BBC News, March 18, 2006. Article: 350 Libyans Trained to Oust Qaddafi Are to Come to U.S. By Neil A. Lewis, May 17, 1991. E Book/Pdf: The Green Book By Muammar Al Qaddafi, Originally published 1975. Owners vs. Producers Housing Additional Information GreenStream Pipeline GreenStream Pipeline Activity Human Rights Watch Website Encyclopaedia Britannica Online: Great Man-Made River (GMR) Energy Information Administration: 2007 Libya Energy Data, Statistics WikiLeaks: Hillary Clinton Email Archive: "Tick Tock On Libya", September 2, 2011. Wikileaks: Hillary Clinton Email: "Lots of New Intel; Possible Libyan Collapse. Sid", March 27, 2011. Wikileaks: Hillary Clinton Email Archive: "H: France's Client & Q's Gold. Sid", March 4, 2011. Wikipedia: General People's Committee Reports Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy By Christopher M. Blanchard, Congressional Research Service, May 13, 2016. Appendix B. U.S. Assistance to Libya FY2010-FY2015 Total Energy 2013 Report on Activities in Libya Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

Listen to this episode of the Pan-African Journal: Worldwide Radio Broadcast hosted by Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire. We will feature our regular PANW report with dispatches on the 7th Congress of the Worker's Party of Korea (WPK) in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK); the North African state of Libya is facing renewed violence from imperialist-backed forces despite efforts by the United Nations to impose a Government of National Accord; the Zimbabwe state is attempting to address the economic crises exemplified in a liquidity shortage; and the African National Congress ruling party in South Africa is preparing for the upcoming local elections across the country. In the second hour we present an audio file of an interview with host Abayomi Azikiwe heard on May 3 over the Progressive Radio Network (PRN) where he discusses the turmoil within public education in Detroit and the renewed water shut-offs impacting hundreds of thousands across the majority African American municipality. The final hour begins a monthlong examination of the upcoming 53rd anniversary of Africa Liberation Day representing the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union since 2002.