Vestiges of the Cold War in Libya’s “Arab Spring”: Revisiting Libya’s Relations with the Soviet Union

Abstract: Although Muammar al-Qaddafi was known to fanatically adhere to a broad set of zealous principles, when threats and challenges to his political survival mounted, sporadic breaches in the country’s rigid wall of ideology in regard to Libya’s international relations appeared, evincing Qaddafi’s ability to demonstrate pragmatism when required in order to maintain his grip on power. This article will explore Libya’s strategic-military alignment with the USSR and offer a retrospective analysis of one of the lesser-discussed chapters in Tripoli’s tempestuous and belligerent foreign policy during the height of the Cold war era, spanning the period of 1974-1989.