Turkey's FM heads to Italy amid rising tensions with Greece over EastMed, Libya The top Turkish diplomat is set to meet with his Italian counterpart, as Ankara seeks deeper cooperation with Rome amid a rivalry with Greece and ongoing Libya diplomacy. Turkey
Analysis After setbacks in Syria and Turkish gains in Libya, Russia scrambles to retain Mediterranean sway Moscow faces growing challenges coordinating in Libya and sustaining its regional presence after losing its key Syrian ally and confronting Ankara’s expanding influence. By Anton Mardasov
Turkey resumes flights to Libya's Misrata as Ankara courts Tripoli, Hifter The first direct flight from Istanbul to Misrata since 2015 underscores Turkey’s efforts to maintain good relations with the Tripoli government as well as its eastern-based rival. Turkey
Analysis Turkey’s power play in Libya tests Greece’s red lines A naval visit, back-channel diplomacy and a budding Italy-Libya track reveal Ankara’s push to lock in its 2019 maritime deal. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Hifter’s forces rebuff Tripoli’s call for cease-fire in Libya war LNA spokesman Maj. Gen. Ahmed al-Mismari said Tripoli's call for a cease-fire is not serious. Libya
Turkey says it is institution-building through military training in Libya A new military training agreement between Ankara, Doha and Tripoli demonstrates Turkey’s institution-building efforts in Libya, but the success of these efforts will mainly depend on the support of Western powers. Turkey
What messages did Egypt’s top military official carry to Libya’s Hifter? The head of Egypt’s military intelligence agency visited military strongman Khalifa Hifter in Libya, coinciding with visits by Turkish and Qatari officials to the rival Tripoli-based government. Egypt
Libyan sides declare cease-fire, call for return to political process Libya's Tobruk-based government reciprocated a call for a cease-fire by the UN-backed government in Tripoli, in a potential breakthrough for peace. Libya
Why did Hifter's forces host Libyan army celebration in Cairo? The presence of senior government figures and military leaders from Egypt and Libya at the Libyan National Army anniversary in Cairo clearly shows that Egypt and its army will always have Libya’s back against Turkish influence. Egypt
Intel: US engaging with Libya players for possible demilitarization of Sirte US officials have discussed with foreign governments the possibility of establishing a demilitarized area in and around the Libyan city of Sirte, Washington’s Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland said Monday. Originals
Trump administration goes for ‘360 degree’ diplomacy to help end Libya war White House calls for cease-fire as Egypt-Turkey rivalry spills over into eastern Mediterranean. Libya
Intel: US says there’s no ‘winning side’ in Libya The US is amplifying calls to restore oil sharing in Libya in hopes of stabilizing the conflict and likely reducing Hifter's dependence on Russia Libya
The Takeaway: Will catastrophe reshape Lebanon’s social contract? The scoop on the Syrian Kurdish oil deal; Sisi to challenge Erdogan in Iraq and Syria; Lapid leads list of contenders to challenge Bibi; don’t shortchange Iraq’s resilience. Lebanon
Full-fledged military escalation looms large in Idlib Developments in southern Idlib suggest that a five-month truce could soon come to an end with a fresh regime offensive to capture Syria’s last rebel stronghold. Syria
Intel: Libya’s Hifter threatens to meet Turkey’s forces ‘with bullets’ Eastern Libya’s Gen. Khalifa Hifter vowed to fight Turkey’s forces as Libya’s Government of National Accord is poised to press its counteroffensive against the key coastal city of Sirte with Ankara’s military support. Originals
Does Erdogan think Sisi is bluffing in Libya? Trump and Putin can prevent the "Syrianization" of Libya. Egypt
