Moulding the Libyan Arab Armed Forces as a Praetorian Guard

• In Event: Armed Group Agency during Civil Wars

Abstract

This chapter explores the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF) as a case study in the dynamics of modern civil wars, emphasizing the interplay between local agency and international politics. Focusing on Khalifa Haftar's leadership, it investigates how the LAAF leveraged foreign support to navigate the domestic and regional power terrain. The chapter highlights the LAAF’s multi-faceted approaches to crafting and manipulating conflict narratives to resonate with various audiences, thereby securing international backing while maintaining a degree of autonomy.
 
Central to this analysis is the examination of the LAAF's strategies for consolidation since inception. These had implications on the underpinnings of the LAAF’s relationships with foreign stakeholders, as the Haftar family sought to balance between sustaining external support while accounting for internal dynamics. The study also discusses the limits of the LAAF's approach, considering the potential shortcomings of its strategy. By presenting the LAAF as a reflection of broader civil war trends, the chapter contributes to our understanding of the role of local actors in the context of shifting international alignments and narratives, and the complexities of civil conflicts viewed through a more global framework.

Author

• Emadeddin Badi