Ruining Revolution: How International Islamist and Salafi Forces Have Held Libya Hostage Since 2011 -- Inga K. Trauthig, Paperback

The political turmoil in Libya--which has claimed more than 20,000 lives and frustrated international partners since 2011--is an immensely complex struggle for power with a dizzying array of participants. How did Libya's "Arab Spring" devolve into civil war after the removal of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi?

Ruining Revolution examines Libya's descent into chaos, pinpointing the roles of Islamist and Salafi forces. Focusing on two key but underestimated movements, the Libyan Muslim Brotherhood and Libyan Salafi-Madkhalis, Inga K. Trauthig argues that ideological groups have been of greater importance than previously assumed. She maps out crucial junctions in Libya's recent history, tying in these movements' pasts, to show how Islamist and Salafi forces have stoked instability. Although the 2011 Libyan revolution was not religious, these groups proved surprisingly well-equipped to capitalize on social and political fissures and to attract international support.

Featuring deep research and rigorous analysis, this book draws on a range of sources, including in-depth interviews and propaganda shared on social media. Ruining Revolution illuminates the dynamics that have shaped contemporary Libya--with significant policy implications for regional engagement--and offers broader insight into the underlying workings of a range of radical groups.

Author: Inga K. Trauthig
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Published: 11/25/2025
Pages: 288
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.65d
ISBN: 9780231219952

About the Author
Inga K. Trauthig is a research professor at the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy at Florida International University. She is also a senior visiting scholar with the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies at King's College London.