Forces loyal to military strongman Khalifa Hifter launched a military offensive in southern Libya, a spokesman for Hifter’s forces said Tuesday. Ahmed al-Mismari said the offensive aims to “secure and protect the residents from terrorists and criminal groups” and to ensure the security of gas and oil facilities. Clashes between local tribes and armed groups are frequent in southern Libya. Read More
By Stephen Blank, Eurasia Daily Monitor: "Russia has opposed the United States’ policy in Afghanistan for years. Indeed, Moscow’s own support for the Taliban, in the form of intelligence sharing and arms transfers, goes back to about 2014. Therefore, President Donald Trump’s stated intention to withdraw half of the U.S. troops from Afghanistan, coupled with his suggestion that Russia, Iran and Pakistan do more there to fight terrorism, play directly into Moscow’s hands—and Tehran’s and Islamabad’s as well. "
- The Libyan National Army (LNA) is conducting a counterterrorism campaign to justify its expansion into southwestern Libya.
- LNA commander Khalifa Haftar has supported U.S. counterterrorism efforts before, but this partnership is problematic for the U.S.