Summary
Highlights
Shane Smith enters rebel-controlled Libya, observing checkpoints and speaking with former soldiers who joined the revolution, despite fears of repercussions if Gaddafi were to win. He reflects on the difficulty of entering Libya under Gaddafi's rule, recalling a previous arrest and threat of jail during a 2010 visit for simply sightseeing without government minders.
Three months after Smith's restrictive 2010 visit, the Arab Spring erupted. Unlike other nations, Gaddafi's brutal response escalated peaceful protests into a full-blown revolution. The conflict saw Gaddafi's army and mercenaries against citizens-turned-rebels with makeshift weapons, making Libya the 'tip of the spear' of the Arab revolution. Smith and his team decide to return to witness the events firsthand.
To reach the front lines in Misrata, east of Tripoli, Smith describes a perilous journey involving a 20-hour drive across the Sahara from Cairo and a 15-hour drive to Benghazi, where a boat was the only way to reach Misrata. In Benghazi, they meet Captain Ali, the harbor master, who arranges passage on a rare supply boat carrying food and medical aid, emphasizing its role as Misrata's sole lifeline. Captain Ali expresses his defiance against Gaddafi, stating, 'Either we meet in Tripoli or we meet in Heaven.'
Smith details Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's nature as a tyrannical and eccentric dictator, highlighting his 40-year reign during which he executed dissenters, supported terrorist organizations (including admitting to the Lockerbie bombing), and was charged with crimes against humanity for his brutal response to calls for reform. Captain Ali further condemns Gaddafi, calling him the 'father of the devil' for his actions against Libyans.
Despite overcrowding, Captain Ali secures passage for Smith on the last ferry to Misrata. Onboard, rebels express unwavering determination, vowing to fight until death, echoing the revolution's slogan of 'capitalist revolution' (meaning no compromise). One rebel, who lost his leg, recounts sneaking out of the hospital to return to the fight, illustrating the profound commitment of the rebels.
Upon arrival in Misrata, which is encircled by Gaddafi's troops, Smith observes a surreal quiet. However, this calm is short-lived as artillery and rocket attacks begin, targeting the port. Despite the danger, the city appears surprisingly functional with high spirits among its inhabitants, who excitedly wave to visitors. The grim reality of the conflict becomes evident in the heavily damaged city center, particularly on Tripoli Street, where intense fighting had recently ended.
The front lines had moved 20 kilometers towards Tripoli. Smith hitches a ride with a rebel driver transporting weapons. They visit a makeshift weapons factory, a 'half junkyard, half post-apocalyptic' facility, where various weapons, including machine guns and missile launchers, are mounted onto trucks. Rebels repurpose all captured Gaddafi equipment, including tanks and Grad missile launchers. They learn that coordinates for targeting are obtained via Google, combining modern technology with revolutionary methods.
Smith is struck by the youth of the rebels on the front line, many barely out of puberty, fighting for an abstract concept of freedom they've never known. They reach the front, where rebels are nervous about cameras revealing their position, and are preparing for an anticipated major offensive. Advised to leave Misrata quickly due to the impending large-scale attack, Smith embarks on a slow fishing boat back to Benghazi.
During the long boat ride, Smith reflects on witnessing a historical revolution. He notes that every rebel, without exception, expressed fighting solely for freedom. Despite being surrounded, the rebels were confident of Tripoli's fall, which occurred about a month later on August 21st. Smith concludes by expressing hope that the Libyan revolution demonstrates humanity's ability to 'write our own history,' acknowledging the challenges of transitioning from fighting to governing.