Pack on the pre- and post- Colonial History of Libya and the rise of IS

To celebrate Leap Day 2016, I was on my favourite radio programme Voice of the Cape's Drivetime hosted by famous author and cultural icon of South Africa's Muslim community, Shafiq Morton.  In a refreshing twist, we discussed the broad flow of Libyan history from pre-historic times to the present.  I tried to sketch how Libya's geostrategic location has meant that it has always served as a point of transit for, or buffer between, different empires. This has left its two main regions and myriad city-states divided and lacking in shared identity.I also introduced the concept of Libya's double colonisation and how the legacy of the Italian era and that of the British period pull in opposite directions. Finally, the twenty minute segment, concludes by explaining how the multiplicity of the uprisings against Qadhafi in 2011 and the vengeful policies of the victors  has facilitated the rise of the Islamic State, especially in Sirte.In short, for the historically curious this would be a good pod cast to listen to while working out or driving.