CONTRA GADAFI

Top of the Agenda: World Mobilizes Against Libyan Regime Following UN sanctions announced over the weekend, Western countries continue to mobilize against Libyan dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi. France announced the dispatch of two planes loaded with aid destined for Benghazi (BBC). The European Union is also set to announce sanctions, including equipment bans, travel restrictions, and asset freezes. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to begin crisis negotiations in Geneva where the UN Human Rights Council (al-Jazeera) is gathering. Qaddafi forces are centered in and around Tripoli (Guardian), while rebels control vast swaths of the country's east. Despite their advances, opposition forces have been unable to crack the regime's hold on the capital. In remarks to the press, Qaddafi officials blamed Islamic radicals (NYT) for conspiring to overthrow the regime and supporting chaos. The chief economist for the International Energy Agency suggested Libya's crisis and the resulting hike in oil prices (WSJ) could threaten the European economic recovery. Oil has been trading at its highest prices in over two years. Analysis: Though the turmoil in the Arab world has "excited" most Palestinians, expert Rashid Khalidi says U.S.-led negotiations for a two-state solution has foundered and the U.S. block of a UN resolution on settlements could mean the negotiation process is "seeing its last days." In this article for Foreign Affairs, Robert H. Pelletreau argues this is a threshold moment for the entire Middle East. It is still unclear how far revolution will spread and what will come of it, but the president's deft handling of the crisis has strengthened his foreign policy record. While Qaddafi's regime is still surviving the Libyan unrest, CFR's Robert Danin says that if Qaddafi goes, the country lacks the elements needed for a smooth and peaceful transition of power.