American Prestige Introducing Fiasco: Benghazi — The Dictator
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Sep 15, 2025 
Leon Neyfakh, co-creator of Slow Burn and host of Fiasco, takes listeners on a deep dive into the 2012 Benghazi attack. He sheds light on the political upheaval that followed and its implications for U.S. foreign policy. Neyfakh shares gripping stories, including the fight for freedom against Gaddafi's oppressive regime and the harrowing tales from Abu Salim Prison. Exploring the rise and fall of Gaddafi, he delves into the complexities of U.S.-Libya relations, revealing how past clashes shape contemporary geopolitics.
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Scandal Obscured The Mission
- The Benghazi attack became defined by a fight over blame rather than its underlying purpose.
- Leon Neyfakh argues understanding the mission explains why Ambassador Chris Stevens was in Benghazi.
Rehabilitation Changed U.S.–Libya Relations
- The U.S. reconciled with Gaddafi in the 2000s, lifting sanctions and reopening diplomacy.
- That normalization explains why Chris Stevens first went to Libya in 2007 to build ties and pursue energy and security cooperation.
Student Arrested For Criticizing The Regime
- Hussein al-Shafi recounts being arrested in 1989 for criticizing Gaddafi at university.
- He describes blindfolded transfers to Tripoli and being taken to Abu Salim prison.
