On 18 September, Alessandra Bocchi published with First Things an overview of the Libyan crisis entitled ‘Europe's Libyan Battleground’. In her article, Bocchi argues that since the fall of former leader Muammar al-Gadhafi in 2011, Libya has become a battleground for European powers, and most particularly Italy and France. She observes that the dynamics are gradually changing in Libya. As Europe’s power in North Africa is slowly fading, the vacuum is being filled by oil-rich Arab Gulf monarchies. This article provides an interesting insight on the influence of foreign powers on the Libyan crisis and Libyan factions. However, Bocchi’s analysis overlooks important nuances, presenting for example an exaggerated vision of France’s opposition to Italy in Libya.Click here to read the full article.
Africa, GNA, Haftar, Intervention, Italy, Libyan Army/Militias, Libyan Elections, Migrant Crisis, UN
Changing dynamics in foreign influence in Libya