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Does Erdogan think Sisi is bluffing in Libya?

Trump and Putin can prevent the "Syrianization" of Libya.

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A military engineer from the UN-recognized Libyan Government of National Accord watches as ammunition and explosives uncovered from areas south of the capital are sorted ahead of their disposal in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, July 22, 2020. — MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP via Getty Images

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is flexing diplomatic and military muscle in Libya to bring about a cease-fire and a new round of peace talks.

While Libya is the battlefield, there is a larger regional contest shaping up in the standoff between Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who, it seems, is unimpressed by the Egyptian president’s red lines and threat of force.

It will therefore likely be up to Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, rather than Sisi or anyone else, to prevent an escalation.

"Time is not on our side"

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