( CNN ) -- Libya 's Moammar Gadhafi is clinging to power despite a wave of opposition due in part to a legacy of decentralized authority and divided tribal politics that has been reinforced during the embattled strongman 's four-decade rule , analysts told CNN Tuesday . Gadhafi 's grip on power nevertheless appears to be weakening , a fact illustrated by the recent defections of a number of prominent Libyan diplomatic officials . Libya 's ambassador to the United States and deputy ambassador to the United Nations are among those now pushing for Gadhafi to step aside . In eastern Libya , groups of armed people in civilian clothing have been guarding the streets and appear to be in firm control . Two Libyan fighter pilots defected to Malta with their jets on Monday rather than follow orders to bomb their fellow citizens . But Gadhafi has been able to carry through on a brutal crackdown resulting in the apparent deaths of hundreds of Libyans . He pledged Tuesday to die `` a martyr '' before voluntarily relinquishing power . Opposition to Gadhafi is hampered by the fact that Libya 's sense of national identity is `` very weak , '' said Robert Danin , a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations . Tribal loyalty in the sparsely populated North African country comes first -- a fact which makes it extremely tough for Gadhafi 's opponents to present a unified front . For years , Gadhafi has effectively played different tribes against each another while using Libyan oil wealth to generate patronage and buy off potential opponents , Danin said . A resulting decentralized power structure beneath the very top levels of the Libyan government has made it easier for the longtime leader to survive in the face of a growing push for change . To the extent that Gadhafi has empowered others in his regime , he has placed his trust in a few key members of his own ethnic group , according to Jennifer Cooke , head of the Africa program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies . Using tools of co-option and coercion , he effectively shifted power away from the city of Benghazi and the eastern portion of the country -- traditional bases of opposition to his rule . Recently , Gadhafi further bolstered his power by bringing in mercenaries from neighboring countries such as Sudan and Chad . Libya 's armed forces remain relatively weak by design , Danin noted . Gadhafi has worked over the years to prevent the creation of a military that could become unified in opposition to him , a development that contributed to the overthrow of the Egyptian and Tunisian governments . `` This has been an absolute rule , '' Danin told CNN . `` There have been no countervailing institutions . '' Egypt , in contrast to Libya , had at least `` some organized political opposition , some freedom of the press , and some freedom of association , '' traditions which proved critical in the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak . Gadhafi , much like his counterparts in Iran , has also not hesitated to use brutal force when necessary . He has shown `` no reservations about bombing people into submission , '' Cooke noted . Adding to the hurdles faced by would-be reformers : Tripoli 's lack of a strong tradition of vibrant intellectual discourse and dissent . `` He 's been very successful in tamping down any potential opposition from an intellectual class , '' Cooke said . And while Libya has a wealthy business community , `` there 's fear to speak out on the issues , '' she added . Can Gadhafi survive the winds of change ? If he falls , Cooke asserted , it will likely be due to opposition from the military 's middle ranks -- an officer corps that has been subjected to repeated purges in the past . While the purges have helped Gadhafi maintain his hold on power over the years , they have n't made him very popular , she noted . To the extent that the outside world can influence events in Libya , there will be a continued push for rapid change , Danin argued . Western European countries such as France , Germany and Italy are extremely dependent on Libyan oil and can not tolerate instability there . `` If Libya descends into civil war with major disruptions in the oil market , this could really hit Europe in its pocketbook , '' he said . `` We 're in uncharted waters now , '' Danin noted . `` It seems that the regime is rotting from within . ... It 's hard to see how he puts the genie back in the bottle . If he does , it 'll require such enormous brutality that Libya will become a true international pariah . '' CNN 's Alan Silverleib contributed to this report .
Moammar Gadhafi has clung to power partly by creating obstacles to a unified opposition . Libya is dominated by tribal politics -- a tradition that hampers opponents . Gadhafi has repeatedly purged the military , the institution most likely to bring about change . TL;DR The U.S. and its allies are considering airstrikes against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's regime in retaliation for his alleged use of chemical weapons on civilians.