A Tortuous Path to Peace in Libya

Libya is a country divided. A year ago, representatives from its rival governments -- the nationally recognized House of Representatives, based in Tobruk, and the General National Congress (GNC) in Tripoli -- signed a deal to unify as a single government. Though the deal, known as the Libyan Political Agreement, installed a new administration in Tripoli, today the country is more fragmented than ever. Instead of two rival governments, Libya now has three, and its internationally recognized leadership, the Government of National Accord, is losing ground. Yet as Libya's political turmoil has deepened, its economic and security circumstances have somewhat improved. Production of oil, the country's economic mainstay, is at its highest level in two years, thanks to the efforts of the Libyan National Army. In addition, militias from the city of Misrata in western Libya have managed to dislodge the Islamic State from its stronghold in Sirte. The two military...