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Can Malta’s diplomacy tip balance in Libya toward Turkey?

By Fehim Tastekin

The diplomatic track ongoing between Turkey, Malta and Libya’s Tripoli government has sparked questions whether Valletta’s diplomatic support can serve as a much needed jumping point for Ankara to break the Libya stalemate, but the European country’s only focus in the talks seem to be limited with prevention of illegal immigration. Read More

The United Arab Emirates, a little-known (discreet) actor (!)

By Philippe Henri Gunet

In a region in upheaval, ravaged by wars, each country is trying to defend its interests. One of the most active but also the most discreet is the United Arab Emirates, guided mainly by its project – economically liberal, politically authoritarian. Spotlight on this little-known actor with researcher Stéphane Lacroix. Read More

Magnates, Media, and Mercenaries (2)

How Libya’s conflicts produce transnational networks straddling Africa and the Middle East

By Wolfram Lacher

War transforms societies and their boundaries. How it does so depends on the particularities of a society and the forces at work in a conflict.

. Read More

Guns and oil do not mix in Libya

By Elif Selin Calik

Oil as a comodity is intertwined intimately with national strategies, power and global politics. This was a central theme in Daniel Yergin’s The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money and Power. Few places illustrate this inflammable mix as effectively as Libya today. Read More

Magnates, Media, and Mercenaries (1)

How Libya’s conflicts produce transnational networks straddling Africa and the Middle East

By Wolfram Lacher

War transforms societies and their boundaries. How it does so depends on the particularities of a society and the forces at work in a conflict.

. Read More

Map of Goals and Interests: What Does France Want from Libya?

By Essam AbdelShafy

France has been viewed as one of the most important international actors in the Libyan scene since the revolution of February 16, 2011, against the regime of Gaddafi, given its influence, and due to the fact that it led the NATO military operations launched to topple Gaddafi in March 2011, less than a month after the outbreak of the Libyan revolution. Read More

Libya is turning into a battle lab for air warfare

By: Tom Kington

During Libya’s proxy war this year, the skies over the North African country have filled with Turkish and Chinese drones, Russian MiG 29s and Sukhoi 24s and Emirati Mirage 2000s — reportedly — with Turkish F-16s and Egyptian Rafales waiting in the wings. Read More

At the height of the Libyan war, Egypt chose to invade Syria

By Lan Shunzheng

In recent days, there has been a new player in Syria: Egypt. In coordination with Iran, Egypt has sent about 150 troops with light weapons to rural areas of Aleppo province in northwestern Syria, including some deployed in the city of Saraqib, south of Idlib province, according to media reports.  Read More