Iraq’s Saddam Hussein and Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi ruled for decades before being violently overthrown, but a solution ended up turning into chaos for both countries.

Today, Iraq and Libya are two of the most unstable nations in the world. It has led some to ask: Would Iraq and Libya be better or worse off now if Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi were still in power?

It has been more than four years since a NATO bombing campaign helped rebels topple Gaddafi.
And although many celebrated his demise, there was no peace. International observers refer to Libya today as a failed state, and ISIL also has a foothold in the country.

The Heat was joined by the following guests to discuss a Libya that could have been:

• Omar Turbi is a Libyan activist.
• Sukant Chandan is a political analyst who focuses on challenges to the global South, the nations of Africa, Central and Latin America and most of Asia.

The U.S.-led war, which started in March 2003, toppled Iraq’s leader Saddam Hussein. Years of sectarian conflict and armed resistance to U.S. troops followed as Iraq was gripped in chaos.

An estimated 500,000 people died in the war.

Now, more than 12 years later, there are some signs of normal living. Violence is still a major problem in Iraq. According to the United Nations, almost 900 people were killed in terrorism and armed conflict incidents across Iraq last month.
ISIL now controls large parts of Libya.

The Heat also spoke with:

• Taif Jany works with Iraqis who have moved away from their homeland.
• Richard Becker is with the group called Act Now to Stop War and End Racism.