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This week on Uprising:

* Assessing the Situation on the Ground in Libya
* Analyzing the US-NATO Role in Libya
* Black Agenda Report on Obama as a War President
* Obama’s Shift in Deportation Priorities Seen as Cynical Ploy for Latino Vote

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Assessing the Situation on the Ground in Libya

Rebel forces in the Libyan capital of Tripoli are locked in battle with pro-Gaddafi forces, less than a week after claims of victory. Assertions about the arrest of Saif Ali Islam Gaddafi have turned out to be false. Another of Gaddafi’s sons, Mohammad, was reportedly captured by rebels but has now apparently escaped. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi himself remains at large. Opposition forces are reportedly closing in on his seaside resort in Sirte. A $1.6 million reward is supposedly being offered for the capture of Gaddafi. An audio recorded message from Gaddafi aired on a local radio station this week, during which he urged his loyalists to “cleanse” Tripoli of “rats” and promised either “martyrdom” or victory. Meanwhile, US and NATO war planes continue to carry out airstrikes and have revealed the presence of their ground troops during the conflict. British soldiers are reportedly aiding in the search for the embattled dictator. Even before the conflict reaches a resolution, NATO countries are openly vying for the spoils of war, positioning themselves for lucrative contracts in exchange for their military help. Italy has promised more than $500 million in previously frozen assets and French President Sarkozy was joined by the Prime Minister of the Libyan Transitional National Council (TNC) in calling for an international conference on Libya in Paris on September 1st. Some elements of the TNC have already strongly alluded to selectively rewarding those nations that came to its aid. The TNC = has announced it plans to hold democratic elections in Libya within 8 months. However, it remains to be seen if the primarily Benghazi-based leaders will be able to represent fighters in Tripoli, or the Libyan population at large. What is also unclear is the extent to which popular support exists for the involvement of NATO troops. Arab nations are also eager to win favor with the TNC. They have invited the TNC to participate tomorrow in an Arab League meeting. The League had suspended Gaddafi’s Libya in February. Gaddafi has traditionally displayed financial and moral loyalty toward Africa and the African Union. His fall is likely to dramatically change the nature of Libya’s ties to the continent.

GUEST: Dr. Mahmoud Traina is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Analyzing the US-NATO Role in Libya

Officials of NATO countries on Wednesday told Reuters that NATO’s stated mission of protecting civilians in Libya is not over, but the international military body will not contribute to the manhunt for Gaddafi. With Libya under the control of the rebels and their Transitional National Council, or TNC, the controversy in the US over whether foreign involvement was appropriate has given way to assigning credit for the so-called victory. In op-eds and on news networks Libyans are praised for ultimately winning the battle by beginning the fight, but the US and NATO have won the public relations war. US Congressman Keith Ellison known for his progressive politics, wrote “America had to get involved. US Policy toward Libya was effective.” While the absence of Gaddafi does not ensure an end to the civil conflict in Libya, it has reportedly signaled that the nation will soon be safe for foreign investors. By all accounts the country needs rebuilding, and leaders in the private and public sectors are eager to stake a claim amid the rubble. The Independent/UK reports that the Libyan British Business Council is preparing to send a trade mission to Libya in the next two months. Trade negotiations between the Libyan TNC and officials in France and Germany are underway. If they have not already begun, the Obama Administration will likely follow on the heels of its European allies, as free trade between the US and middle eastern nations is a key pillar of Obama’s vision for new relations, outlined in his May speech. Journalist Robert Fisk wrote this week that power players in the West are already ensconced in Libya. Fisk dubbed Benghazi a wall-less version of Iraq’s Green Zone, populated by “Western oil diplomats, oil-moguls, highly paid Western mercenaries, and shady British and French servicemen.” Less than 7 million people live in the small North African state, which rests above 46 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, the continent’s fourth largest natural gas reserves, and holds $8.6 billion in gold bullion. However $100 billion of Libya’s assets are currently frozen and its oil fields are only operating at 10% production capacity. The total failure to reconstruct Iraqi infrastructure after the fall of Saddam Hussein is fresh on the minds of the international community and all sides are warning against a repeat. The TNC says an infusion of funds is required to keep the government functional, and its allies, including the Obama administration and leaders of the UAE, Turkey and Italy, are pushing for a deal. CNN reports the US, which holds two-thirds of the captive assets, wants $500 million released to the nascent governing body through a UN resolution.

GUEST: Vijay Prashad, Professor of International Studies at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut

Black Agenda Report on Obama as a War President

Glen Ford is a writer and radio commentator and the Executive Editor of The Black Agenda Report. This week’s commentary is on Obama as a War President.

Visit www.blackagendareport.com for more information.

Obama’s Shift in Deportation Priorities Seen as Cynical Ploy for Latino Vote

A public hearing on Wednesday held by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Official in Arlington, VA, drew about 400 protesters who oppose the so-called Secure Communities Program. Arlington was the last stop on a national tour of a commission charged with evaluating the controversial program. Secure Communities, also known as S-COMM, allows local law enforcement agencies to collect the biometric data of arrested individuals, which ultimately is sent to ICE for the identification and deportation of undocumented immigrants. During Wednesday’s hearing Maria Blanos confronted an ICE official, questioning the basis for criminal charges brought against her that were dropped, but may lead to her deportation. She was arrested for allegedly selling a telephone card to a neighbor after she called in a domestic dispute incident to police. Blanos’ case is typical of what advocates say is the overreach of S-COMM. National outrage over the deportation of non-violent offenders has led to a shift in the Obama administration’s deportation priorities. A recent memo by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)states that the agency will review more than 300,000 deportation cases. Those deemed low priority may be closed, in favor of prosecuting high priority criminal cases. High priority cases, include, but are not limited to those involving a felony, and repeat offenders. Low priority cases include undocumented youth who arrived in the US as minors and have been active in trying to pass the DREAM act, and well as victims of crime, spouses (including LGBT spouses), and pregnant women. Individuals whose cases are closed can apply for a work permit. While immigrant rights groups feel that this policy change is in the right direction they also assert that the DHS has not gone far enough, particularly to address the rights of the at least 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. They are calling for a complete end to S-COMM.

GUEST: Carlos Roa, online organizer with Presente.org, and an undocumented activist.

Visit www.Presente.org for more information.

Sonali’s Subversive Thought for the Day

“Until the great mass of people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained.” — Helen Keller