Libya

December 17, 2016 marked the 1-year anniversary of the Libyan Political Agreement. It is an opportune time to review the Obama administration's policy in Libya. While the Obama administration first participated in the intervention in Libya in 2011, it lacked clearly articulated objectives, a post-intervention plan, and even an explanation about how the intervention fit U.S. national security interests. Many of the worst fears have come to fruition, as more than 5 years after Ghadafi's death, Libya is embroiled in a civil war that shows no sign of abatement. Libya is more politically divided than ever, its economy is in a free fall, and terrorist groups and criminals continue to exploit the power vacuum. Multiple governing entities and their allied militias and armed forces compete for power while the U.N.-backed unity government, known as the Government of National Accord, remains unable to provide basic security and basic services to the people of Libya. Criminals and terrorist groups, including ISIS, al-Qaeda and so many others, take advantage of the chaos, securing their own territory and using Libya as a launching pad for smuggling, human trafficking, and terror attacks. ISIS, al-Qaeda, Ansar al-Sharia, the group responsible for the 2012 Benghazi attack, as well as others, all continue to maintain cells throughout the country.