Why was Muammar Qadhafi really removed?

Abstract

After situating the post-2011 Libyan conflict in its proper historical context and identifying the patterns behind the numerous earlier attempts to remove Qadhafi from power, this article then draws heavily on extensive, accessible new evidence to demonstrate how the 2011 ‘Arab Spring’ phenomenon was soon manipulated by external actors so as to provide diplomatic cover for the calculated dismantling of a Libyan regime that had remained largely resistant to the opening up of its economy to Western investment and could still count on a significant domestic support base. Furthermore, it is shown that by this stage the Libyan regime had not only failed to establish itself as a reliable partner in the US’ long-running ‘War on Terror’, but had actually emerged as one of the strongest voices opposing the expansion of NATO and US military power onto the African continent. Within this evidence-based framework, the article also reveals how the Western powers’ regime change agenda in Libya in 2011 was to a great extent shielded from public scrutiny, with some of the most significant and visible roles being assigned to key regional Arab allies. In this sense, mindful of the ongoing domestic backlash to the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and wary of further international criticism of their Middle East policies, the Western powers this time made sure to orchestrate better a web of compliant Arab proxies that could effectively provide most of the financing and on-the-ground logistical and intelligence support for those Libyans that were willing to oppose the regime, even if they were in a minority, and even if their ‘Arab Spring’ or ‘pro-democracy’ credentials were difficult to verify.