Libya as a competing ground for Russia and the United States

Following the resignation of SRSG Bathily and the return of an American at the helm of the UNSMIL as well as a politically and militarily proactive Russia, the stage is set for the two superpowers’ showdown. This article argues that competition between the two states is a futile endeavour for both Russia and the U.S. as it comes with more risk – not only for the two powers but also for Libya and the region as a whole. The two actors should refer back to history and have Libya remain a neutral ground as opposed to a theatre for their respective geopolitical interests.