Daniel Serwer explains the structure of the Libyan rebels' shadow government:
Local councils have grown up in liberated areas as well as in Gaddafi-held territory, including Tripoli (where there are thought to be four). They are the ones governing at the local level. The February 17 coalition of lawyers and judges is influential. A relatively moderate Muslim brotherhood seems to dominate the Islamists part of the political spectrum, at least for the moment. Technocrats from the Gaddafi regime, military officers, militia leaders, “syndicates” (regime-sponsored guilds of lawyers, doctors, etc.), secular democrats will all have roles to play.
He also looks at their plans for post-conflict governance, which may come in handy given reporting that Qaddafi's days are running short. Juan Cole, meanwhile, checks in on the evidence that Qaddafi regime played a key role in sustaining other Middle East autocracies.
The Dish 