Middle East Notes and Comment: Libya's Generation Gap

Libya is in a race. After a quarter century as a bête noire of international politics, fount of unpredictable proclamations, and supporter of innumerable liberation movements, Libyan policy has taken a decided turn toward engagement with the rest of the world.

While Libya’s reorientation of its policy is well understood, the urgency of its challenge is not. Indeed, many in the West take a long view of Libya, suggesting that it will be five years or more until they can judge Libyan intentions.

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Jon B. Alterman
Senior Vice President, Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, and Director, Middle East Program