Russia looks to long term while navigating Libya chaos

Significance

Moscow stresses its commitment to a diplomatic solution in Libya while building local alliances, currently with mixed success: the eastern forces it backs have retreated from Tripoli, faced by Turkish military support for the opposing UN-recognised government.

Impacts

• As with Syria, Libya offers Russia opportunities to gain a geopolitical advantage over the West.
• The United States may feel impelled to involve itself more in Libya to counter Russia.
• Moscow will struggle to identify new partners in eastern Libya.