Libya Intervention 2011

• 15 Feb 2011 = Gadaffi responded to peaceful protests with violence, the rebels decided to fight back leading to civil war in Libya
• Use of hard power - 20 Feb = Gadaffi executed 130 soldiers who refused to fire on rebels
• March 17 = Un Security Council passed a resolution to implement a no-fly zone over Libya this military intervention was primarily carried out by NATO starting 19 March - created a blockade
• International community tightened sanctions of Gadaffi and supporters
• 20 October = Gadaffi killed by rebel forces
• Regional - NATO significantly assisted intervention and since they are a regional organisation it's easier to operate thus showing intervention at a regional level is effective
• Gadaffi used chemical weapons against his own people which led to international condemnation and intervention
• The aim of the intervention was to stop a genocide and not e regime change
• Liberalism - shows how IGOs can influence global politics and have the ability to change global anarchy
• Realism - shows that states will intervene when their national interest is threatened, however this doesnt always happen as seen with Syria
• Marxism - shows how imperialist powers use intervention to maintain control over resources and exploit weaker nations
• Constructivism - shows how norms can be created through intervention and lead to positive outcomes such as democracy
• NATO's actions were justified by R2P but it didnt prevent Gaddafi from being killed or restore stability
• Interventions are often motivated by self-interest rather than humanitarian concerns
• An example of Responsibility to Protect (R2P)