Authors: Dr. Tankut Öztaş, Ferhat Polat
Affiliation: Researcher, Deputy Researcher
Organization/Publisher: TRT World Research Center
Date/Place: December 27, 2019, Istanbul Turkey.
Type of Literature: Report
Number of Pages: 35
Keywords: Turkey, Libya, Mediterranean Sea, Conflict, Peace
Brief:
Turkey’s proactive actions in Syria followed by Libya, although not very effective and with minimally recognized results, at least at a global level, have increased its political influence in the region, gaining sometimes, and other times paying the price. Nonetheless, Turkey has increasingly been recognized as an important regional player at different fronts, especially the political front. One of the latest Turkish regional relationships was that of Libya. The Turkish Libya relationship is essentially based on economics, and is a strategic relationship that has attracted regional attention because it may disrupt the interests of countries around the Mediterranean Sea. Israel, Cyprus, Egypt, and Greece are the main concerned countries; Italy and North African countries are also monitoring such developments. “This report discusses the trajectory of Turkey-Libya relations and analyses the multilayered economic, political and security dynamics underpinning these relations over the past decades. The report also explores the complexities surrounding the current conflict in Libya, the gradual evolution of Turkey’s strategic posture towards Libya, and some of the primary causes behind such a shift.” The report also shows Turkey’s trade and business partners and the importance of Libya, which also discusses the countries’ quest for peace. This timely report is relevant more than ever, with detailed information worth reviewing to better inform regional policies.
By: Dr. Abdulrahman Migdad, CIGA Research Fellow
