
Ruining Revolution
How International Islamist and Salafi Forces Have Held Libya Hostage Since 2011
Inga K. Trauthig(Author)
Columbia University Press
Published on 25. November 2025
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-0-231-21994-5 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
This important and well-written work offers timely insights into Libya's political development since the Arab Spring. Drawing on a range of painstakingly collected sources, it offers a rich analysis of how Salafist Islamist groups have adapted to the instability and insecurity in Libya over this period. In so doing, it charts and explains the important and complex roles that they have played. A must-read for anyone interested in Islamism and political instability in the Middle East. -- Jonathan Hill, director of the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies, King's College London Uniquely focusing on the Libyan Muslim Brotherhood and Libyan Salafi-Madkhalis, this book helps readers understand the current state of Libya, as the promise of the Arab Spring led to what would better be described as an Arab Winter. -- Joana Cook, author of <i>The Rule Is for None but Allah: Islamist Approaches to Governance</i> In Ruining Revolution, Inga Trauthig has produced an important work of scholarship with policy relevance. I worked on Libya as a British diplomat and United Nations coordinator, and wish I had had this book to consult. -- Edmund Fitton-Brown, senior advisor to the Counter Extremism ProjectMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
3 b&w charts, 2 tables
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-231-21994-5 (9780231219945)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Inga K. Trauthig
Ruining Revolution
How International Islamist and Salafi Forces Have Held Libya Hostage Since 2011
E-Book
11/2025
1st Edition
Columbia University Press
€33.99
Available for download
Person
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.
Content
List of Figures and Tables
Acknowledgments
List of Acronyms
Introduction
1. Who Are Libya's Islamists and Salafists?
2. Surprised by Libya's Revolution
3. Securing Interests While Hurting Libya
4. A Downhill Slope
5. What Next?
Appendix
Glossary of Arabic Words
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
List of Acronyms
Introduction
1. Who Are Libya's Islamists and Salafists?
2. Surprised by Libya's Revolution
3. Securing Interests While Hurting Libya
4. A Downhill Slope
5. What Next?
Appendix
Glossary of Arabic Words
Notes
Bibliography
Index