External actors in the Libyan crisis: An analysis of the roles of regional and international powers since 2011

Abstract

The Libyan crisis since 2011 has proven to be the product of a complex interplay between internal state collapse and multiple external interventions. The fall of the Gaddafi regime led to the disintegration of central authority and the rise of competing local forces, making the country an arena for diverse Arab, regional, and international influences. Arab states intervened with conflicting security and political motives, while Sahel countries further complicated the situation through the movements of armed groups and cross-border flows. Meanwhile, the roles of various actors have varied, ranging from a limited US presence to Russian expansion and European divisions, amidst UN efforts that have failed to translate agreements into a stable reality. These interactions reveal that the continuation of the crisis is more closely linked to the entanglement of interests among intervening powers than to the ability of local parties to resolve their differences. Therefore, overcoming the current impasse requires a simultaneous approach to addressing internal, regional, and international factors to ensure Libya's transition to a more stable and balanced phase.