A new Atlantic Council report examines the threats to Libya’s stability, provides a detailed mapping of the militia landscape, and details policy options for the Libyan government and its international partners. In Libya’s Faustian Bargains: Breaking the Appeasement Cycle, the authors attribute the cycle of violence, intractable political stalemate, and weakened economy to the Libyan authorities’ continued policy of appeasing opponents.
The report, authored by Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Karim Mezran, Cambridge University researcher Jason Pack, and ForeignPolicy.com’s Mohamed Eljarh, identifies the strategic weakness of post-Qaddafi governments that have appeased political actors and militias for short-term support and stability. In conjunction with their newly released report on breaking the appeasement cycle in Libya, authors Jason Pack and Karim Mezran sat down for interviews to discuss various current issues affecting Libya today.
In the videos above, Jason Pack sat down to discuss how to break the appeasement cycle exacerbating much of Libya’s problems. He also argues that Libya remains united despite the crisis between federalists and the central government. Lastly, he examines the European role in institutional and capacity building, criticizing the individual uncoordinated approach to strengthening Libya. Karim Mezran explores how Libyans can transcend the political impasse, examines the role of the National Dialogue, and discusses the challenges facing international partners.