Libya

Libya

With its proximity to Europe, its significant oil reserves, and its strategic importance to the stability of the North Africa region, the ongoing turmoil in Libya is a concern for the United States and its allies. Rival factions serving as proxies to competing regional powers continue to destabilize the country and hamper any national dialogue efforts. The role of the United States and Europe will be essential in encouraging dialogue, supporting the arms embargo, and contributing to any post-war economic revitalization plan.

Featured commentary & analysis

Pham Quoted by Jewish Press on Terrorist Networks in Libya and Yemen

MENASource
Jul 1, 2026

Libya doesn’t need another elite bargain

By
Karim Mezran

The US blessing of a power-sharing arrangement for Libya preserves a fragile stability today while increasing the risk of a much larger crisis tomorrow.

Libya
Political Reform

Pham Quoted by Jewish Press on Terrorist Networks in Libya and Yemen

MENASource
May 26, 2026

An oil windfall will not fix Libya’s economy

By
Ahmed Shalghoum and Frank Talbot

Libya’s new unified budget needs transparency, accountability, and oversight to deliver for the people.

Economy & Business
Libya

Pham Quoted by Jewish Press on Terrorist Networks in Libya and Yemen

MENASource
May 15, 2026

The problem with the US power-sharing plan for Libya

By
Karim Mezran, Dario Cristiani

The nascent US initiative may succeed in reducing tensions and creating a slightly more predictable environment for foreign businesses, but a structural transformation remains out of reach.

Corruption
Libya

Programs

Perspectives on North Africa

The North Africa Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East analyzes the strategic, political, and economic importance of the region for the United States and its allies. Since the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, North Africa has undergone political and economic transformations that have impacted stability and security in the region. With its geographic crossroad between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, North Africa continues to be an integral partner in addressing shared interests and concerns.

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Middle East Programs

Working with our allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

EXPLORE THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL’S MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMS

Content

In the News

Mar 27, 2016

Pham Quoted by Jewish Press on Terrorist Networks in Libya and Yemen

By J. Peter Pham

Read the full article here.

Libya Yemen

In the News

Mar 24, 2016

Eljarh Quoted by Digital Journal on the Libyan Government

By Mohamed Eljarh

Read the full article here.

Libya

MENASource

Mar 21, 2016

The Problem with the Obama Doctrine

By H.A. Hellyer

The ‘Obama Doctrine’ is finally taking shape—with The Atlantic magazine revealing its most salient points through a series of conversations with the US president—but the insights are not all flattering, not least when it comes to the Arab world.

Iraq Libya

In the News

Mar 18, 2016

Mezran Quoted by teleSUR on Libya’s Political Outlook

By Karim Mezran

Read the full article here.

Libya

In the News

Mar 11, 2016

Mezran Quoted by Stars and Stripes on ISIS’s Strategy in Libya

By Karim Mezran

Read the full article here.

Libya
President Barack Obama, Nov. 18, 2011

NATOSource

Mar 10, 2016

Obama Unhappy with Allies, Upset at Free Riders

By Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic

“Free riders aggravate me,” he [President Barack Obama] told me.

France Libya

MENASource

Mar 8, 2016

Libya at Another Crossroads

By Mohamed Eljarh

The UN Security Council (UNSC) held a session on March 2 to discuss the situation in Libya, where the UN special envoy to Libya Martin Kobler briefed the Council on the latest political, security, and humanitarian developments in Libya. The session comes as the prospects for success of the UN-led peace continue to diminish due to […]

Libya

In the News

Mar 6, 2016

Mezran Quoted by IBT on the Exaggerated Number of Jihadists in Libya

By Karim Mezran

Read the full article here.

Libya

In the News

Mar 5, 2016

Mezran Quoted by Affaritaliani on Intervention in Libya

By Karim Mezran

Read the full article here.

Libya

In the News

Mar 5, 2016

Mezran Quoted by Corriere della Sera on the Dangers of Armed Intervention in Libya

By Karim Mezran

Read the full article here.

Libya
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Experts

Fellow

Brian O’Toole

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Cuba Economy & Business

Fellow

Frank Talbot

Nonresident Senior Fellow, North Africa Program

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business English