Vince Dhimos answered a question at Quora.
https://www.quora.com/Will-the-GNA-become-a-satellite-of-Ankara-now-that-theyve-made-big-gains-and-are-going-to-extend-their-sovereignty-over-the-rest-of-Libya/answer/Vince-Dhimos WILL THE GNA BECOME A SATELLITE OF ANKARA NOW THAT THEY’VE MADE BIG GAINS AND ARE GOING TO EXTEND THEIR SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE REST OF LIBYA? Vince Dhimos Editor-in-Chief at New Silk Strategies (2016–present) It’s not too early to ask this question but it is too early to answer it with much certainty. One thing we need to remember is that Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s LNA is supported and sponsored by several well-heeled states including the UAE, Saudi, and Russia but also Egypt and some lesser states such as Sudan, and is getting moral and propaganda support from France. The Trump administration is wobbling but originally leaned toward supporting Haftar. The Democrats seem to favour the terror-importing GNA. Perhaps that is not too surprising since it was the Obama-Biden administration that took out Ghadafi – who was keeping terrorism under control – in the first place. A full listing (somewhat outdated) of supporters on both sides is found here: Libya's war: Who is supporting whom Those states with an aversion to terror generally support Haftar, while states that warm to Islamism tend to support the US- and UN-recognized GNA of Faez al-Sarraj, whose officials have admitted using ISIS and Al-Qaeda militias to defend the GNA. As mentioned in the question, Turkey is providing major support including Turkish fighters and pilots. Those of us who worry about the fate of Libya are on tenterhooks now that a major airbase of Haftar’s LNA has been taken over and its extensive air defence systems, the Russian Pantsir, are destroyed. It is noteworthy that Egypt’s president Sisi a few days ago warned Turkey that it will not tolerate terrorists at its border. Keep your eye on Egypt, which has ordered $2 billion worth of the Russian Su-35s, which are the premier fighter, superior to the US F-35. The Su-35 flies significantly faster and has a greater range than the overpriced and overrated F-35 and, unlike the latter, does not need afterburners to reach its top speed. Once the F-35s afterburners come on, the plane is more visible to radar (although the latest radar system in service in Russia and at the Russian Khmeimim base in Syria, can plainly see the F-35 anyway). My best guess is that Russia and Egypt will not sit idly by as Turkey dines on Libya’s carcass. Already, since Haftar’s major setback, Russia has sent warplanes from its Hmeimim base in Latakia to Libya. Let’s not forget that probably none of this would be happening if the Obama-Biden administration had stayed out of the conflict that took out Gadhafi and plunged Libya into chaos. Also note that Democratic senators are now urging Trump to sanction Hafter, the anti-terror side, which would support the terror-importing Sarraj government. https://en.218tv.net/2020/02/13/al-monitor-democrats-urge-trump-to-sanction-haftar/ You must wonder why the Democrats, whose military action destroyed Libya in the first place, now apparently want a terror-supporting regime to rule there. And why show even a hint of support for terror in an election year? PS: This just in: Libyan Army faces new threat as old foe returns. ISIS is back and they’re fighting shoulder to shoulder with the US-ally Turkey in Libya.
2 Comments
John M Stassi
5/25/2020 03:02:50 pm
"'Curiouser and curiouser! ' cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English).
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John Edward McClain
5/25/2020 04:46:06 pm
From where I stand, an American, retired Marine, I have to think a good many Americans have lost connection between real events, and human lives lost, at risk, and their politics, or simply so often, personal hatred.
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