In a comprehensive investigative piece quoting US officials, the Voice of America reported on US efforts to identify potential Libyan partners for the extended campaign against ISIS. Recent growth in the numbers of ISIS fighters in Libya has been a source of growing concern for the US and its allies. I was quoted commenting on the fragmentation of political groups within Libya and the implications those divisions hold for US attempts to build an anti-ISIS. The article concludes by quoting US officials on the possibility of sending troops to Libya which appears to be the hot button issue of the last week.I discussed this issue with Radio Sputnik on January 28, hinting that he surprising decision for the Pentagon to air its internal deliberations vis a Libya intervention or support mission might be an attempt to outflank other branches to he US government who are dead set against the idea. To listen to the radio clip, please click here.
“The current fragmentation between and within rival Libyan political camps is also helping ISIS to grow by eroding trust and legitimacy in Libyan politics and politicians as a whole amongst a large swath of the Libyan population, especially the youth,” according to Jason Pack, a researcher of Middle Eastern History at Cambridge University and president of Libya-Analysis.com.“You want to take decisive military action to check ISIL's expansion and at the same time you want to do it in such a way that's supportive of a long-term political process," Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a small group of reporters Friday.
To read the full Voice of America article, click here.