Libya's Emperors Use Roman Theaters (Return of the Colosseum)

Festivals and games in the Roman Empire, especially gladiatorial games and chariot races, played a significant role in Roman society. Roman emperors and caesars skillfully used them for various purposes, including distracting the populace from real political and economic problems. These games were held at great expense by the state or the emperors themselves and were free for the public to ensure large attendance. The most famous were the gladiatorial games (Monera), where gladiators would fight each other or wild animals in public arenas like the Colosseum in Rome for entertainment and to showcase the empire's strength.

 But at least Rome was a powerful state .

History does not repeat itself, but humans repeat their mistakes. This can be explained in a natural context, and we lean towards the view that nations that do not retain their critical and analytical memory often repeat past events, sometimes in every detail.

These days, celebrations and festivals are widespread in Libya. In the west, with the return of life, and in the east, with the oil street and massive bridges, the ruling class in Libya is racing to display its power and control over its surroundings, attempting to distract the inhabitants of their controlled areas from what is happening in their lives, their future, and the land they believe is the last thing left to them.

In the west, while Tripoli appears calm on the surface, it is boiling underneath, trying to survive an armed conflict that any sane person can see the indicators of. The “Return of Life” government and the festivals in Tripoli have resolved not to hand over power. They have surrounded themselves with military forces that see their continued presence and dominance over the present and future if they survive this wave, a wave led by one person who possesses military strength and the key to Tripoli at the same time, according to many observers. We are talking here about the Special Deterrence Force and its commander, who has unofficially shown his support and protection for the Central Bank governor, who will not give this government a single penny after it crossed all red lines in historical public spending.

In this atmosphere of lurking danger, many observers still believe that the old and new American project of using Libyans to stop the Russian expansion in Libya is still ongoing. This is not hidden from any keen observer, with recent visits by the American military delegation to the beloved Brigade (444), Brigade (111), and the General Staff led by a speaking idol, as many see it, as clear indicators of stirring stagnant waters in this context.

Meanwhile, military maneuvers are happening in the city of Sirte, led by Major General Saddam Haftar, who seems to be trying to show the readiness of his forces to repel any military movement towards central Libya, which has been under Wagner’s control since 2019. Many see Uncle Sam now viewing Libya as the last stronghold for Russian expansion, trying to link its area of influence from the Mediterranean shores to central Africa. However, this step will not happen until security balances are arranged in the western region in general and Tripoli in particular.

The situation is not much different in the south, where General Rajma has managed to assert his sons' control over the entire south with the support of his (temporary) Russian allies, who, as mentioned, connect their area of influence from southern Libya through Niger to central Africa. This linkage worries Uncle Sam, who is currently busy killing Palestinians in Gaza.

In the east, anyone with insight can see the clear struggle between the General’s sons through their use of tools. Major General Saddam Haftar and Khalid Haftar are racing to prepare the ground for themselves socially and militarily, each trying to show his skill in managing the files distributed to them, hoping to paint a picture of new gods to convince the elders of the major tribes that each is fit to be the heir to the symbol of stability and power!

All this is happening while the economic situation is declining, liquidity shortages persist in banks, the dollar rate continues to rise with movements by the Central Bank governor, general inflation in prices, a new government is being formed, and the dream of returning to the ballot box is fading. 

The decision to bring about change in this surreal reality we live in is tied to the audience of the gladiatorial games happening east and west. They alone will decide whether to continue watching the fighters die for their entertainment or to overthrow the festival stage and those who run it.