The New Great Game in the Greater Middle East

Carlotta Gall has an excellent overview this morning of Turkey's projection of power in Libya, "Erdogan Prepares a New Military Intervention, Sending Troops to Libya":

Beneath Mr. Erdogan’s agreement with Libya is a desire to position Turkey to explore for oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, off the coast of Cyprus, in competition with Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Israel, analysts say.

“Turkey does not want to be frozen out of the great game which revolves around the hydrocarbon deposits in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Ms. Aydintasbas said.

As in Syria, Turkey wants to have troops on the ground in Libya in order to gain a place at the table, she said.

Turkish-backed Syrian proxy fighters have already arrived in Libya, and more have assembled in training camps in Turkey ahead of deployment, according the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an independent monitoring organization.

The moves follow increased support this summer by Mr. Erdogan to Libya’s Government of National Accord, or G.N.A., headed by Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj.

Turkey sent military advisers, arms and a fleet of 20 drones to defend Tripoli from attack by the forces of Gen. Khalifa Hifter, who controls much of eastern Libya and is backed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

After Russia recently became involved, sending contract forces to support General Hifter’s offensive, Mr. Erdogan upped the ante.

Gall doesn't mention Somalia in her story, but Turkey is there too, along with Qatar, struggling against the UAE and Saudi Arabia. It's all part of the new Great Game in the Greater Middle East, which features proxy wars between U.S. client states.

Perpetual warfare is here to stay.