Russian policy towards Libya from the Tsarist era until the end of World War II

Abstract

This study examines the evolution of Russian and Soviet policy toward Libya from the Tsarist era until the end of the Second World War, focusing on the geopolitical and ideological dimensions that shaped this policy. The study demonstrates that Tsarist Russian policy toward Libya was characterized by limited direct interest, mainly confined to attempts to penetrate the Mediterranean region and secure access to the “warm waters,” in addition to several individual scientific expeditions that documented Libyan society during the nineteenth century. Following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, Soviet foreign policy underwent a significant transformation. The Soviet Union adopted an ideological discourse supporting national liberation movements and opposing colonialism; however, this support largely remained theoretical rather than translating into effective material assistance for the Libyan resistance. The study also highlights the differing stance of the Comintern toward Libyan national movements, as it viewed the Senussi movement as a revolutionary anti-colonial force while largely ignoring the Tripolitanian Republic. Furthermore, the research explains that Soviet-Italian relations, particularly after Italy’s recognition of the Soviet Union, contributed to the decline of Soviet interest in the Libyan issue in favor of political and economic considerations. With the outbreak of the Second World War, the Soviet Union reformulated its strategic objectives in the Mediterranean and sought to expand its international influence by obtaining naval bases and strategic positions in the region, including Libya. The study concludes that Soviet policy toward Libya was driven primarily by political realism and geopolitical interests rather than ideological commitments. Consequently, Libya became, after the war, an arena of international competition that contributed to the emergence of the Cold War.