Turkey seeks to bolster Eastern Med foothold in new Libya energy talks The talks between the Turkish ambassador in Libya and the Tripoli government’s energy minister come as Turkey seeks to reduce dependence on energy imports and bolster its energy security. Turkey
Algeria's Sonatrach latest foreign oil major to resume Libya drilling Libya has Africa’s largest proven oil reserves, with approximately 48.4 billion barrels, but political instability had led international energy firms to avoid it for more than a decade. Algeria
Libyans rush banks amid cash crunch, government to print $11B in dinars to ease crisis The Libyan Central Bank has been printing more money in response to cash shortages in the country, as falling oil prices and corruption take their toll. Libya
Turkey's FM heads to Italy amid rising tensions with Greece over EastMed, Libya The top Turkish diplomat is set to meet with his Italian counterpart, as Ankara seeks deeper cooperation with Rome amid a rivalry with Greece and ongoing Libya diplomacy. Turkey
Analysis After setbacks in Syria and Turkish gains in Libya, Russia scrambles to retain Mediterranean sway By Anton Mardasov
Analysis Turkey’s power play in Libya tests Greece’s red lines By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Islamic State suicide bombing kills two in Libya The Libyan civil war ended with a cease-fire in October of 2020, and a transitional government is now in power. News Brief
Spain reopens its embassy in Libya The move constituted another diplomatic win for Libya's transitional government ahead of elections in December. Libya
United States ramps up Libyan engagement The Biden administration has just appointed its first special envoy for Libya and sent Assistant Secretary of State Joey Hood to visit the North African nation. North Africa
Qatari foreign minister visits Egypt Relations between Qatar and Egypt have continued to improve following the January agreement that ended the Gulf diplomatic rift. Egypt
Libyan LGBTQ+ activists speak out on violence by extremist militias In Libya, amid the ongoing conflict and chaos, the country's first LGBTQ+ platform is fighting for a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals. North Africa
The Takeaway: Erdogan’s incendiary remarks about Israel worsen ties with Washington The fallout of the Turkish president’s comments could compound problems for country’s beleaguered economy; Israel-Palestinian frictions dominate region’s news; Libya’s mercenaries; and more! Turkey
Rifts plague Libya’s central bank Although a new unity government was formed in Libya, ending years of division in state institutions, conflicts still plague some financial institutions that control the country's economy, namely the central bank. Egypt
Mercenaries, foreign fighters threaten Libya's fragile transition Both sides of the Libyan conflict have so far failed to agree on the departure of foreign fighters from Libya as required by the country’s political settlement document known as the road map; it appears the issue rests with Moscow and Ankara. North Africa
Libyan conflict stands out as key to Turkey-Egypt normalization Turkey appears reluctant to back down from its military posture in Libya, even as its normalization bid with Egypt depends greatly on whether the two sides find common ground in the Libyan conflict. Turkey
US appoints Ambassador Richard Norland as Libya special envoy Norland, who has served as chief of mission to Libya since August 2019, will lead US diplomatic efforts to promote a political solution to the conflict. Libya
Libya’s uncertain path to elections Despite a political process that appears on track, the risk of conflict from foreign forces still in the country remains high. Libya
Turkey faces rough road to normalization with Egypt Turkey’s reconciliation with Egypt is not likely to be easy, but progress after the first high-level meeting between the two sides could mark a new course in Ankara’s foreign policy and pave the way for its reconciliation with the Gulf heavyweights as well. Turkey
