Ali Ahmida interviewed by CNN on prolonged Libyan war
Ali Abdullatif Ahmida, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Political Science, was quoted by for a story June 29, 2011 analyzing the false assumptions that led to the prolonged Libyan conflict and whether NATO and the rebels can prevail against Moammar Gadhafi.
The rebels, Ahmida said, have made noticeable gains with the support of NATO air power. He cited recent rebel takeovers of western towns in the Nafusa Mountains and said Gadhafi is more isolated now than ever before.
"The Libyan people are capable of fighting this fight," said Ahmida. "The consequences of this, even though it is more painful and brutal, will have a positive outcome in the end. ...I'm optimistic but guarded."
Since the North African and Middle Eastern uprisings began in January, Ahmida has been interviewed by a number of media outlets, including NPR's Morning Edition and Charlie Rose show, CBC Radio Canada, KPFK Pacifica Radio, Los Angeles, WBEZ Chicago Public Media, Mother Jones magazine and more. Ahmida, who was born in Libya, is the author of The Making of Modern Libya: State Formation, Colonialization and Resistance, and several other books on Libya and North Africa. Find out more about Ahmida and read and listen to a number of his other recent interviews.