Haftar and Libyan Ports

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-economy-port-idUSKCN1U02CH

This development represents further US subversion of the UN recognised regime in Tripoli.

In addition to further support for Khalifa Haftar... who interestingly has threatened Turkish interests... the move ensures that China won't be able to move in and connect Libya to its larger OBOR project.

Libya represents an important hub for African access to Europe. While the focus has primarily been on refugees and migrants, once the country stabilises the port at Susah will prove important for the Mediterranean trade.

In the meantime US oversight and control of the port can be marketed as a means for curbing illegal smuggling and human trafficking. In reality that's exactly what it will be used for. The CIA has a long record when it comes to this. From clandestine air freight, to front companies involved in shipping, the CIA is always looking for means to transport materiel, personnel, cash, drugs and/or whatever else is required.

The information on the Guidry Group is a little sparse given their international profile. While it may not be a front company, I would be genuinely amazed if it wasn't connected to Western intelligence agencies.

As far as Haftar's campaign against Tripoli, he has suffered some setbacks. And yet it would seem the White House is determined to back him. There seems to be a fault-line here, a divide in the Establishment factions.

The Atlantic Establishment doesn't back Haftar and just in the past few weeks the media has painted him as a war criminal and in addition there's a brewing scandal over diverted UAE (American manufactured) weapons that are turning up in Libya. While the attention is on the UAE, this has CIA written all over it. The thrust seems to be that in exposing UAE corruption and weapons diversion they can kill two birds with one stone. Support for the UAE in Yemen and Haftar in Libya will have to cease.

It will be interesting to see how the administration and its allies attempt to spin this. Of course I don't believe it's something surreptitious on the part of the UAE. I would argue this transfer was done at the behest of US interests... unofficial US interests that are trying to fight a secret proxy war through Haftar.

Officially Erdogan's support of the Tripoli regime is in accord with US policy... except it's not... as a dominant faction within the US is attempting to oust the Tripoli government and install Haftar. If they can give renegade Turkey a black eye in the process, they wouldn't be displeased and Haftar is happy to oblige.

Are the Turks sending al Nusra fighters to Libya as some have alleged? It's possible as there have been contacts between Western NATO powers and various Islamist groups like al Nusra (which is of course an affiliate of al Qaeda). During the Syrian War al Nusra became a de facto ally of the West and the weapons and personnel pipeline flowing from Europe to Syria (often via Turkey) seems to have connections to Western intelligence agencies like the CIA and BND.

Would Erdogan utilise some of these fighters? I wouldn't find it shocking. All too often the fighters have proven to be little more than pawns in a greater game.

Turkey's interests are primarily concerned with trade which is why the Guidry Group's bid is surely something of a disappointment. When it comes to shipping the old rivalries between the Greeks and Turks are very much alive. Greek politics also bear watching as Athens seems set for a change of government. Will the Turks be cut out? What about Egypt? They're also part of the equation. Egypt which has moved closer to Israel seems primed to establish friendly relations with a Haftar government. Cairo and Ankara have been at loggerheads for several years now. While friendly during the days of Mubarak, the Erdogan breach with the US and Israel and the machinations surrounding the ouster of Mohamed Morsi have led to increased hostility between the Eastern Mediterranean rivals.

Everyone is watching and waiting to see what happens with Haftar. Until his part is played, the story won't be fully known. Expect the situation to escalate.