Unrest in Libya

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/...1&iref=BN1

So as you know....countries in the Middle East are experiencing tons of turmoil. Mostly ordinary citizens overthrowing their autocratic rulers in some countries, and forcing reform in others. Or currently trying to overthrow their repressive governments.

Libya though....it might be the bloodiest place to have a revolution right now. I don't even know what the f'uck the Libyan ruler, Moammar Gadhafi, is thinking. Using Mirage F1 jets and helicopter gunships to bomb and strafe protesters? Using soldiers and even African mercenaries to fire mindlessly into the crowd? (It was also noted that mercenaries were reportedly using cars to drive around and shoot whatever protesters they could find)

What kind of ruler would do this to their own people? Killing protesters simply because they didn't like him? From what I remembered, even Mubarak (Egypt) didn't go that far; he knew that his time was up once a few "turning point" events happened.

Either way, Gadhafi is done for good. Once he started unleashing his forces against the protesters and caused a huge bloody mess, no one will forgive him for the atrocities he commits. Heck, even 2 Libyan Air Force colonels defected to Malta yesterday by flying their Mirage fighter jets into the Malta international airport (they refused to bomb and strafe protesters as ordered). His justice and interior ministers have resigned and joined the opposition. A number of his diplomats around the world protested by resigning their posts, and calling for him to step down because of what he has done. Some military units and their commanding officers have now defected to the opposition. And the opposition now controls the eastern part of Libya, including the city of Benghazi.

Also, to really show how bad this really is: some security forces and soldiers have refused to fire on protesters. Result? Their own comrades turned against them, killed them, and set their bodies on fire. In one gruesome case, protesters came upon them, and yesterday I saw a very graphic video where one protester filmed the protesters crowding around eight body bags containing the charred remains of Libyan soldiers, who apparently refused to fire on protesters and were killed and burned for doing so. (if you want to watch it, go on the CNN.com website and find it or go on YouTube and look for it, but I STRONGLY DO NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE WITH A WEAK STOMACH TO WATCH THAT VIDEO. Its just extremely graphic and sad)

In short: The Libyan dictator has no support. He's a goner.

Overall though.....the string of revolutions currently going on in the Middle East will affect world history to come in the years ahead. These events will be significant to historians as a turning point in Middle East politics in a few decades. Though in Libya's case, it will be most remembered for having the most bloodshed for a revolution.

If they don't comply to orders they'll burn em to death.
There's a youtube video of this being enacted.

Hope it doesn't end up like Tienanmen Square.

Hope it doesn't end up like Tienanmen Square.

Libya's past that already. Bloodshed was there since Day 1.

The fact that they're using FIGHTER JETS to BOMB protesters is astounding and horrific. I mean, why?

Libya's past that already. Bloodshed was there since Day 1.

I mean, like, the movement completely and utterly fails.

Not likely it's going to happen, but still.

Many if not most of the nations in the middle east and surrounding area are going through the same "change". However, history in this region proves to be fairly consistant. That said, this is not a move to become more like western nations but more a shift in power to someone new who will ultimately lead said country in a similar path as before. This is already being proven in Egypt where the military has taken over for who knows how long. Lybia went through a similar type of coup where the military took over and they controlled the country for over 40 years.

Dont try to apply western standards on other parts of the world. You really only have to look at the history to see what will happen. I personally hope Gadhafi is hung for the things he has allowed to happen but I doubt it will happen. Much of what is happening are probably orders given by others from within the military ranks. Hell even that has happened in the U.S.

Mubarak, for all his dictatorial ways, is a fairly sensible fellow. He knew that attempting to crush the protests would end up in bloodshed, and consequently withdrawal of the support he got for many years from the West and his own Army. So, after some attempts to negotiate and/or intimidate, he decided it would be better to just go away and live out a comfortable retirement somewhere more pleasant than Cairo. He has enough money and enough friends throughout the world to do it with.

Ghadafi, though... is a classic madman dictator, in the tradition of Stalin and Idi Amin. He doesn't care one bit about international opinion or support, about the good of "his people", or even about his own personal best interest. He will not back down, he will not live out his days in peaceful luxury in Monaco or wherever. He would rather be burned alive in his Libyan fortress, supreme ruler of Libya to the very end. The faster this person is eliminated, the better for everyone.

However, as Kanevaldier pointed out, all these revolutions do not really spell hope for North Africa and the Middle East. In all likelihood, a new dictator will take power in each of these countries.