Unpacking the shifts in Turkey’s Libya policy with Jalel Harchaoui

Jalel Harchaoui, a political scientist focused on Libya and a contributor at the Royal United Services Institute, joins Turkey recap editor Diego Cupolo to discuss shifts in Turkey’s Libya policy and how they fit into broader US and NATO objectives for stability in the divided nation.The talk outlines how, in 2019, Ankara initially backed the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity in Western Libya and, since 2024, has been expanding its diplomatic outreach and drone sales to the Benghazi-based Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Eastern Libya.Topics covered include Turkey’s hosting of joint military exercises between Libya’s rival forces as well as the spillover effects of Turkey’s Libya policy for regional conflicts and actors. They also discuss Turkish parliament’s planned legislation to claim waters near the Greek Island of Crete by formalizing a maritime boundary agreement with Libya.Referenced in this talk:Submit a question for our Q&A podcast with this formRSVP to our June 11 get-together in Ankara with this form (details inside)Libya’s False Peace (Foreign Affairs)Turkey’s policy towards Libya: a year of major shifts (OSW)Libya’s Haftar acquires combat drones despite UN embargo (Reuters)Libya in the middle: Can Greece’s moves rival Türkiye’s years-long strategy? (Daily Sabah)According to experts, the “de-escalation environment” that Türkiye created in Libya brought the parties back to the negotiating table. (Anadolu Agency - Turkish)Other ways to watch & listen:Our webcasts are also available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast players.Turkey recap is an independent, reader-supported newsletter that helps people make sense of the fast-paced Turkey news cycle. Contact us: [email protected] here on Substack (or on Patreon for discount options). Paid subscribers get full access to our recaps, reports, members-only chat and news tracking tools.We are an affiliate of the Global Forum for Media Development and aim to produce balanced news that strengthens local media by supporting journalists in Turkey.Diego Cupolo, Editor-in-chiefEmily Rice Johnson, Deputy editorCeren Bayar, Parliament correspondentYıldız Yazıcıoğlu, Parliament correspondentGünsu Durak, Stüdyo recap editorDemet Şöhret, Social media and content manager This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.turkeyrecap.com/subscribe