Libya in Western Foreign Policies, 19112011 [Hardcover]

Libya has a short, volatile history. Foreigners played a significant role in shaping Libyas institutions and policies, and this book explores longer term trends in the relations between Libya and the West, placing current developments in their historical context. Throughout history, the globes most powerful actors have regarded Libya as an outlier state of little significance. Libya belonged neither here nor there and never fell under the full protection of any significant global or regional powerhouse. Libyas weak national identity, its weak institutions and its peripheral position have made it vulnerable to external influences and interventions. As a result, Libya repeatedly falls prey to foreign powers wanting to flex their muscles. As this book narrates, this was the case in 1911, in 2011 and several times in between.

Introduction. - 1. Libyas Origins: The Colonial Scraps of North Africa. - 2. Libya during the World Wars: Other peoples battlefield. - 3. Libya: A By-Product of Great Power Politics. - 4. The Cyrenaican King and the Anglo-American Alliance. - 5. Qaddafis Coup: Erasing Historical Deviations. - 6. Reagan and Libya: Bullying The Rogue. - 7. Reconciliation and Fighting Islamic Extremism Together. - 8. Post-Qaddafi Libya: Wishful Transitional ThinkingLibya in western foreign policies displays a solid grounding in contemporary Libyan history and deserves a wide audience. It provides a concise, readable summary of the central elements of Libyan foreign policy over the last century, making the book suitable for scholars and the general public alike. For those readers drawn to further stl£Ý