Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- An attack on the U.S. Embassy in Libya has killed four American diplomats, including the U.S. Ambassador.
Nearly a dozen people were inside when attackers stormed the consulate. Ambassador Chris Stevens was among the victims, when he and a group tried to help evacuate staff. Stevens is the first U.S. ambassador killed in an attack since 1979.
Political science professors at Syracuse University (SU) are already analyzing the impact of Tuesday’s fatal attack in Libya.
The tragedy comes on the heels of Libya’s revolution. It’s a movement of change that U.S. Ambassador Stevens says he was fortunate to be a part of.
The government has apologized for the attack. It’s believed that rebels are behind the ambush. President Obama says the U.S. will work with Libya to bring justice.
“I don’t think this means deterioration of relations with Libya. It’s an important country that the U.S. wants to maintain good ties with,” said Professor of Political Science Mehrzad Boroujerdi at SU's Maxwell School.
The attack has prompted President Obama to increase security at embassies around the world
"There is also an alarm bell going off in Washington about whether the U.S. can withstand to watch on the sidelines, as some of these countries may go down this slope toward a more chaotic, anarchy in terms of the political system. That is the long term concern,” Boroujerdi continued.
That concern is already part of the presidential debate, shifting the campaign focus to foreign policy, ahead of the November election.
U.S.officials are now investigating whether the assault was a planned terrorist strike to mark 9/11.
