Libya is a sparsely-populated country (just 6+ million people). However, the country has the largest oil reserves in Africa, is one of the world's 20 largest countries by land area, and serves/served as a conduit for northbound sub-Saharan African migrants. There aren't many books focused on Libya, not in English at any rate. So Wehrey's book doesn't have a lot of competition. But it's definitely worth a read ... just don't rely on this book as your sole source for understanding modern Libya. Wehrey describes the ongoing Libyan revolution, the fall of Qaddafi, the attack on the US diplomatic compound in Benghazi, the rise of various militias, ISIS in Libya, the migrant crisis. Prominent military leader Khalifa Haftar comes across as an ambiguous figure. The chapter on migrants and human trafficking was particularly well-written. Thanks to Wehrey for introducing me to the Touareg band 'Tinariwen'!
The big blind spot for me was business. Wehrey hardly discusses business at all, in fact. Oil is by far the biggest industry in Libya, in terms of export revenue. Who are the biggest investors in Libya (ENI, Repsol, ConocoPhillips, Total)? How does the National Oil Company (NOC) operate? How are revenues distributed? Who buys Libyan oil? One would think that somebody in the business community - either from the NOC or a foreign firm - would merit an interview. The current state of Libya's oil industry (challenges + opportunities) merits at least one chapter in a 326-page book. How about small business? Perhaps the banality of business isn't as exciting as embassies/diplomacy, geopolitical intrigue, militias and armed conflict. But the bills must be paid somehow... a stronger economy would provide an incentive for warring sides to lay down arms.
To summarize - helpful overview of modern Libya ... but incomplete.
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