Libya's Revolution at Two Years: Perils and Achievements

More than two years after its revolution, Libya is a country caught in the throes of troubling challenges and remarkable achievements. Western commentary on its status often varies wildly, between dark forecasts of its steady descent into sort of Somalia on the Mediterranean and breathless applause for its democratic aspirations and societal resilience. The reality, of course, lies somewhere in between. As in any post-conflict situation, Libya's transition will not be clean or linear, and is likely to be marked by leaps of progress and heartbreaking setbacks. Reprinted by permission of Frank Cass & Co. Ltd.