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In Libya, he joined the Muslim Brotherhood. Its history reflects a pro-business/anti-populist agenda.
In the 1970s, he studied economics and political science at Cairo University. After graduating, he came to America. He earned a University of Pittsburgh master's degree and doctorate in political science. He taught strategic planning there after graduating.
Time magazine calls him a "US-educated policy wonk." It interviewed him in 2010. He envisioned Western-style government. He hoped to transform Libya into a replica of neoliberal economies. He told Time:
"There must be a legal frame with division of powers, and the right of free expression. We are very late. We have to shorten the time span of things."
He's now able to institute what wasn't possible then. Doing so assures neoliberal harshness. It features plunder, exploitation, and repression. It's the usual formula applied to enrich privileged elites at the expense of all others.
Jabril earlier advised Arab governments on economic management. In 2007, he returned to Libya. Through early 2011, he served in Gaddafi's government.
In 2009, he told then US ambassador Gene Cretz that Libya was "opening widely and very fast." He said American companies could expect lucrative business opportunities. WikiLeaks released a cable quoting Cretz saying "Jabril is a serious interlocutor who 'gets' the US perspective."
His roots are from Libya's most populous Warfalla tribe. It had close ties to Gaddafi. Washington hopes he can co-opt it. Doing so furthers its agenda.
As head of Libya's Economic Development Board, Jabril earlier drafted his plan for a new Libya. It's neoliberal/anti-populist hardline.
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