Fiasco: Benghazi – Episode 2: "We Will Stay Here"

Podcast: Fiasco
Host: Leon Neyfakh (Prologue Projects/Pushkin Industries)
Date: September 8, 2025
Theme: The origins of the 2012 Benghazi attack set within the whirlwind of the Libyan Arab Spring, tracing the country’s descent from revolutionary optimism to chaos, and the pivotal role—and tragic fate—of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens.

Episode Overview

Episode 2, "We Will Stay Here," vividly traces the Libyan side of the Arab Spring, the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, and the difficult transition period that gave rise to post-revolutionary chaos and mounting insecurity in Benghazi. Neyfakh weaves together the perspectives of Libyan revolutionaries, U.S. diplomats and military liaisons to show how global hopes ran headlong into local complexities, setting the tragic stage for the events of September 11, 2012. The episode explores the human stories behind political upheaval and the calculus behind the U.S. Embassy’s decisions—especially the determination of Ambassador Chris Stevens to maintain a diplomatic presence in Benghazi despite growing danger.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Precarious Position of Gaddafi’s Libya (04:25–10:14)

• Khamis Gaddafi’s 2011 U.S. Tour

  • Khamis Gaddafi, the son of Muammar Gaddafi, travels across the U.S. on a business-oriented visit, while trying to conceal his infamous family name due to the regime’s reputation.
    • “He was extremely hesitant to allow himself to be identified as Gaddafi's son. Everywhere we went, he asked that we introduce him as Captain Hamis, not as Captain Gaddafi.” (Brian Linville, 06:48)
  • The West holds a measured hope that younger Gaddafis could nudge the regime toward reform after Muammar’s death.

• Gaddafi Regime’s Military Strategy

  • Khamis commands the elite 32nd Enhanced Brigade, reflecting Gaddafi senior’s policy of privileging loyalist units over a professional army to prevent coups.
    • “He focused on developing specific regime protection forces that he knew were loyal ... manned by family members or tribal members.” (Brian Linville, 09:44)

2. The Arab Spring Reaches Libya (10:14–14:44)

• Spreading Protests
  • Sparked by Tunisia and Egypt, Libyan protests begin in Benghazi after the arrest of human rights lawyer Fathi Terbil, catalyzing broader unrest.
    • “We were hopeless. ... We thought that we never kick out Gaddafi.” (Iman Bugegis, 18:14)
  • The regime’s response is to arrest activists and increase security presence, setting the stage for confrontation.

3. The Benghazi Uprising (18:48–25:26)

• Day of Rage, February 17, 2011
  • Led by women and families of Abu Salim prison victims, protests escalate in Benghazi turning from calls for reform to calls for regime change.
    • “We left our children with my mother and my mother knew and we knew that she might not see us again. ... It’s our responsibility, the older generation, we have to do something.” (Iman Bugegis, 22:17)
  • Protests morph into a popular revolution as crowds chant for Libya.
    • “For seven, eight hours, we were just chanting about Libya. ... It was like a love song, you know, all of a sudden we recognized.” (Iman Bugegis, 23:36)
    • “Declaring love for Libya was revolutionary in and of itself. Colonel Gaddafi had only ever encouraged love for Colonel Gaddafi.” (Leon Nayfak, 24:04)

4. Uprisings, International Response, and U.S. Debates Intervention (25:37–40:23)

• Regime Crackdown and Massacre

  • Violent suppression, including reports of mass killings—Gaddafi vows total war on revolutionaries.
  • Human Rights Watch cites hundreds killed by late February; regime’s intransigence leads U.S. to evacuate embassy staff.

• U.S. and International Intervention

  • Intense diplomatic debate: U.S. reluctance to lead but pressured by allies and humanitarian concerns (“leading from behind”).
    • “Obama agreed to a kind of compromise. The US would participate ... but only as part of a collective effort.” (Leon Nayfak, 38:12)
  • UN authorizes force; Operation Odyssey Dawn begins with French and U.S. airstrikes on Qaddafi’s forces as they approach Benghazi.
    • “We welcomed the international intervention. We didn’t have any other option. It was a survival.” (Iman Bugegis, 37:35)

5. Aftermath: Revolution’s Victory, Chaotic Transition (41:06–48:55)

• Splintered Libya

  • Tripoli remains under Gaddafi, Benghazi becomes the rebel “capital”.
  • Chris Stevens is deployed as U.S. envoy to Benghazi—valued for his curiosity and rapport with Libyans.
    • “We felt that he had the right personality to play this ambiguous liaison role ... because of his background, because of his personality, because of his ability to connect with people.” (Jeff Feltman, 42:07)

• Dangerous Diplomatic Environment

  • The mission initially operates from a hotel, then moves to a villa compound lacking normal diplomatic security standards.
  • Stevens insists on outreach—meeting all stripes of Libyan society, including Islamists.
    • “Chris would push back and insist on meeting with anyone who might have the ability to influence the direction Libya moves in the future.” (Jeff Feltman, 45:22)
  • Feltman is alarmed by the lack of security: “The way you closed that suite at night ... was you put a chain with key lock on it. That horrified me.” (46:12)

6. The Fall of Gaddafi and Aftermath (48:55–52:57)

• Collapse of the Regime
  • Rebels seize Tripoli; Gaddafi is eventually killed after brutal treatment, raising both relief and horror.
    • “There was a sense of horror at how he was killed. ... But there was also a sense of relief that it would probably be harder to have a sustained independence insurrection against the change in Libya.” (Jeff Feltman, 52:04)
  • Libyans hope for a democratic transition—but, as Iman Bugegis notes, “It didn’t happen.” (52:59)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Iman Bugegis on Protest’s Emotional Power
  “For the first time, we were singing for our country and we were saying that we will stay here. Libya. We will stay here.” (25:12)

• Jeff Feltman on Stevens’ Courage
  “Again, he also was sort of fearless. ... He did not inherit an office or a local staff ... He didn’t inherit the old proverbial roller decks from his predecessors.” (42:43)

• Gene Kretz on Western Withdrawal
  “After the regime fell down, most of the Western countries felt that their mission has been accomplished. ... Libya is a stateless society. Any political vacuum can be felt by anybody ... fertile soil ... for extremism to grow.” (56:33)

• Chris Stevens on Risks in Benghazi
  “You can't understand the story of Libya if you don't know what's going on in Benghazi. And Chris knew that if we shut down operations in Benghazi, we would be blind.” (Brian Linville recalling, 59:48)

The Gathering Storm (53:17–62:47, 62:57–64:23)

• Post-Gaddafi Instability

  • Militias multiply; security is outsourced in absence of a functioning state.
  • June 6, 2012: Bomb attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi.
    • Stevens insists: “If we gave up on Benghazi, we were giving up on Libya. He didn’t want to do that.” (Brian Linville, 59:48)
  • Security warnings escalate—“That would have been our moment to shut down operations in Benghazi.” (Brian Linville, 61:24)

• First Free Elections

  • July 2012: Elections go more moderately than expected; Iman Bugegis: “For the moderates, it’s a turning point in the history of Libya.” (62:43)
  • Despite optimism, militia power, bombings, and Islamist rallies raise red flags for U.S. security.

• Lead-up to the Attack

  • September 2012: Stevens travels to Benghazi despite security warnings. Jeff Feltman expresses concern and hints at the tragic end.
    • “I do wonder about that 2012 Benghazi trip. ... the horror of what happened to my friend.” (Feltman, 63:32)

Notable Timestamps

• Gaddafi’s Son Khamis in America: 04:25–06:17
• Gaddafi Military Strategy: 09:09–10:02
• Day of Rage/Early Protests: 18:48–25:26
• Crackdown and Uprising’s Violence: 25:37–29:09
• Obama’s Address: 28:09–28:49
• UN/NATO Intervention Debate: 31:46–40:23
• Chris Stevens’ Arrival in Benghazi: 43:04–44:32
• Security Fears at U.S. Outpost: 46:12–47:06
• Collapse of the Regime: 48:55–51:46
• After Gaddafi’s Death – Political Vacuum: 56:07–56:53
• Stevens’ 2012 Return and Mounting Dangers: 59:18–61:57
• Free Elections & Final Days Before the Attack: 62:28–63:54

Tone & Language

The episode strikes a balance between sweeping historical narrative and intimate, personal recollection. Neyfakh’s narration is clear and evocative, while guest voices—especially Iman Bugegis and Brian Linville—bring urgency and emotional resonance. The episode concludes with a sense of foreboding, underscoring both the optimism and naivety that characterized the revolution and its aftermath.

Summary for New Listeners

“We Will Stay Here” is a sweeping, emotionally charged immersion in Libya’s 2011 revolution and its chaotic aftermath, culminating in Chris Stevens’ fateful decision to return to Benghazi. The episode pulls you into the lives of Libyan activists and U.S. diplomats navigating hope and horror, showing how well-meaning idealism, local realities, and international caution collided to shape a tragedy that would soon draw the world's gaze.

Next Episode Tease

The next episode will examine Stevens' final visit to Benghazi and the violence and tragedy that ensued, bringing together all the forces and warnings detailed here.

[End of Summary]