A recent report submitted to members of the US Congress outlines several growing concerns over Washington’s approach to the political and security crisis in Libya.
As the country remains fragmented and foreign influence intensifies, lawmakers are being urged to reassess the direction of US engagement and oversight.
According to the report, billions of dollars in Libyan state assets, frozen abroad since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi under UN sanctions, remain at the center of internal disputes.
Competing Libyan authorities have called for access to these funds, raising alarm about the lack of unified oversight and the potential misuse of national wealth.
The report notes that the US has resumed contact with a wide range of Libyan actors, including individuals previously accused of corruption, human rights abuses, or close ties to foreign powers. Some have even attempted to seize control of the country by military force in the past.
While engagement with all sides may be part of a pragmatic approach, it has raised concerns in Congress, particularly about the lack of transparency and the risk of legitimizing destabilizing figures.
Several countries, among them Egypt, Turkey, Russia, the UAE, France, and Italy, continue to pursue their own interests in Libya, often backing rival factions. This has complicated any attempts to forge national unity and has weakened US leverage on the ground.
Meanwhile, Turkey has extended its military presence in the west until 2026, supporting allied forces and further dividing the country’s security landscape.
Congress has also been briefed on the rollback of certain US assistance programs, including parts of the Global Fragility Act. Still, funding remains available through alternative channels, such as global security programs and operational assistance, which could be redirected to support renewed diplomatic efforts and possibly reopen a formal US presence in Libya.
As the situation evolves, members of Congress may push to increase oversight over American foreign policy in Libya. Areas of focus could include aid allocation, asset management, the terms of engagement with Libyan actors, and the security implications of foreign military activity on Libyan soil.
