Luiss Mediterranean Platform

We’re very happy to announce the successful conclusion of a year-long research project, "Russia’s Soft Power Strategies in the MENA Region and Africa"! The project aimed at exploring Russia’s strategic use of soft power in Syria, Libya, Mali, and Algeria and making sense of its objectives in the region.

Today, the research team had the pleasure of presenting their findings at the Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, which has funded this timely initiative.

The project was coordinated by the Luiss Mediterranean Platform, under the leadership of Director Luigi Narbone and Scientific Coordinator Virginie Collombier. It was carried out in collaboration with a team of leading experts including Prof. Luca Raineri (Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna), Prof. Carolina de Stefano (LUISS University) and PhD candidate Elise Daniaud (LUISS University).

An ebook with the fundings of the research project will soon be published. Stay tuned.



Scuola Superiore Luiss Guido Carli

💡 We're happy to share with you our page on ResearchGate , updated with our recent publications.

Our research covers the transformation of societies and polities in the Mediterranean by looking at the long-term trends and dynamics in the region.

So far, we’ve covered regional geopolitical transformations, as well as local governance, environment, heritage, infrastructure, and reconciliation in Libya.

You can access our publications here: https://bit.ly/4ekkAVw.

Mediterranean PLATFORM | School of Government | Policy Research and Dialogue Programme | Mediterranean Platform | Research profile The Mediterranean Platform is a research, dialogue, and educational programme at the School of Government, Luiss Guido Carli. The Platform aims to nurture a deeper understanding of the region by offering insights into the complex transformation of societies and polities and by addressing long-term t...

🎙️ As the start of the semester is coming close, we are excited to share new insights and analysis!

Today, Professor Virginie Collombier offered her expertise on Derna’s reconstruction efforts and Libya’s complex political and economic landscape in both an article and a podcast.

In Libération journalist Célian Macé interviewed Prof. Collombier about the rebuilding of Derna after last year’s devastating floods. She highlighted how the Haftar family benefited politically and economically from leading the reconstruction while raising concerns about their illicit activities and the lack of financial transparency.
Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4d5VGHY

In Radio France Internationale’s "Le grand invité Afrique," Prof. Collombier discussed these issues further with Christophe Boisbouvier. She noted how the Haftar clan, particularly General Haftar’s son, Belgassim, used the reconstruction to consolidate power. The conversation also touched on Libya’s broader political situation, the role of the Central Bank, and relations with the Tripoli-based government.
Listen to the full episode: https://bit.ly/3TlC2Ri.

👉Both interviews are available in French!



Libération RFI

Photo by Libération.

Libération - Luiss Mediterranean Platform On September 11, in an article by Libération, Célian Macé interviews Virginie Collombier about Derna’s reconstruction efforts. A year after devastating floods, the city’s rebuilding is entirely managed by the Haftar clan, which controls eastern Libya. The article highlights the political and ...

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Libya Youth Economic Research Forum (YERF), bringing together 20 young talents —12 males and 8 females— from across Libya to discuss the country's economic vision with peers, experts and key local and international stakeholders.

Selected out of over 85 applications, the participants will start by undergoing a 6-month training followed by a series of timely policy discussions.

The YERF is managed by the World Bank’s Libya Development Trust Fund (LDTF), and implemented by the Luiss Mediterranean Platform, in partnership with the UNIMED - Mediterranean Universities Union.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3VJmg4c.

📌The application deadline for the Master's Degree in Mediterranean Cooperation and Security has been extended to 22nd September.

These are the last days to submit your application and immerse yourself in the world of Mediterranean relations!

Apply now here: https://bit.ly/3XiJ5LE.

📌 The Sahel region has become central to the Haftar clan's strategy. It serves as a means to reposition Libya within its regional context and to prepare for the Marshal's succession.

Our Scientific Coordinator, Prof. Virginie Collombier, recently discussed this with Jeune Afrique .

Access the full interview here: https://bit.ly/3yjAdwX.

Le maréchal Haftar va-t-il faire de la Libye la porte d’entrée des Russes vers le Sahel ? - Jeune Afrique.com En se rapprochant des régimes en place au Sahel, comme lui proches de Moscou, le maréchal libyen joue sur plusieurs tableaux. Mais il cherche avant tout à consolider son pouvoir face aux autorités de l’Ouest et à se poser en partenaire incontournable, y compris pour les Occidentaux.

🔊Today, our scientific coordinator, Prof. Virginie Collombier, was quoted in Jeune Afrique. The article, by Laurent de Saint-Périer, presents the key protagonists of Libya’s political conflict and explores their positions and interests.

The full article is available, in French, here: https://bit.ly/3zFOEeZ.

En Libye, portraits des cinq « seigneurs de crise » - Jeune Afrique.com En annonçant qu’il renonçait à son poste d’envoyé spécial des Nations unies en Libye – comme tous ses prédécesseurs avant lui – , l’ancien ministre sénégalais Abdoulaye Bathily a dénoncé les responsables politiques qui, depuis 2011, entravent toute tentative de sortie de crise. ...

We’ve extended the deadline for the applications to join our Youth Economic Research Forum. Apply before July 23 for the opportunity to research and discuss Libya’s economic future.

For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/3VJmg4c

Apply here: https://bit.ly/3WkLbeL



لقد قمنا بتمديد الموعد النهائي لتقديم الطلبات للانضمام إلى لبرنامج منتدى البحوث الاقتصادية للشباب في ليبيا. قم بتقديم طلبك قبل 23 يوليو للحصول على فرصة البحث ومناقشة مستقبل ليبيا الاقتصادي.

للمزيد من المعلومات يرجى زيارة موقعنا: https://bit.ly/3VJmg4c

للتقديم: https://bit.ly/3WkLbeL

📌 On Tuesday, 9 July 2024, the Third Forum of Libyan Political and Civil Forces, organised by Peace Makers LIBYA with the support of the Luiss Mediterranean Platform, concluded in Tunis.

The Forum saw the participation of 60+ high-level figures from Libya’s political parties, professional unions, social and civil institutions, as well as members of the country’s legislative institutions. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) participated in the capacity of observer.

This initiative, designed by a diverse group of Libyan experts, focuses on building consensus around and further developing the Peace Makers’ Multi-Track Roadmap for Relaunching the Libyan Political Process and it is the result of extensive high-level political dialogue conducted over the past two years. It aims to broaden the participation of all Libyan political and civil forces in the political dialogue and address the root causes of the conflict, with the ultimate goal of achieving sustainable stability.

This initiative is funded by the European Union in Libya / الإتحاد الأوروبي في ليبيا.

Its contents are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

🎙In case you missed our last Roundtable of the season "Navigating Stormy Seas: Saudi Arabia's Foreign Policy Amid Regional Tensions, Normalisation Prospects, and Eastern Pivot", you can now find the recording on our website!

The roundtable examined recent developments in Saudi Arabia's foreign policy and discussed the prospects for normalisation with Israel, the role of a possible security agreement with the US, relations with Russia and China, and the domestic implications of these dynamics.

Many thanks to our speakers Fatiha Dazi-Heni and Salman Al-Ansari for this interesting discussion and to our Director Prof. Narbone and our Research Associate Meryem Akabouch for moderating.

You can access the recording here: https://bit.ly/3XSHv58.

If you enjoyed the roundtable series, don't worry, we'll be back in October with new topics and leading speakers!

Navigating Stormy Seas: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Policy Amid Regional Tension

⏳ Last days to apply for the Master's in Mediterranean Cooperation and Security! Applications close on 10 July.

Don't miss the opportunity to join a unique group of students and learn about the major challenges facing the Mediterranean from experts with first-hand experience.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/44Kq5ZX.

Master in Mediterranean Cooperation and Security