Politics
Steve Bovo: Libya could become Donald Trump’s next strategic success
President Donald Trump has made it clear that his approach to foreign policy is rooted in practical outcomes, shared responsibility and partnerships built on mutual interests. Libya is a telling example of how these principles might play out on the ground.
For years, U.S. policy toward Libya has often focused on counterterrorism and conflict prevention. But there is a broader opportunity here. By helping Libya build stronger institutions, attract investment and modernize its infrastructure, the United States can support the kind of long-term self-sufficiency that makes for a more stable partner.
This is not about ramping up American involvement. Instead, it is about engaging in ways that help Libyans build lasting institutions, encourage private-sector growth and connect more closely with their neighbors. The real measure of success is not how much the U.S. spends, but how much Libya can do for itself.
Economic cooperation is where this partnership can take root. Libya sits at a crossroads between Africa and the Mediterranean, making it a natural hub for trade and logistics if investments in ports, transportation and digital networks take hold. Its oil and gas reserves, along with untapped solar potential, could help meet today’s energy needs and support future diversification.
There is also room for growth in technology, from artificial intelligence to digital infrastructure, which could open new doors for jobs and modernization.
But none of these possibilities will matter unless Libya makes progress toward national reconciliation and builds institutions people can trust.
Lasting stability is not something outsiders can impose. It depends on Libyans building inclusive government, earning public trust and working together toward a unified state. Elections matter, but only if they help bring people together and strengthen national institutions, not drive them further apart.
Political reconciliation is not just a matter for Libyans. It is also an economic and strategic necessity. Investors want stability, businesses need reliable institutions, and Libya’s neighbors are looking for a partner they can count on. The stronger Libya’s institutions get, the more it can contribute to regional security and economic growth.
National unity has to be grounded in both inclusion and a clear-eyed view of Libya’s realities. The country is made up of many regions and communities, each with its own interests. Any lasting settlement needs to give all of them a seat at the table. Reconciliation cannot be about winners and losers. It has to be about building a state where everyone feels represented and trusts the system. The real goal is a national agreement that reflects Libya’s diversity, strengthens social bonds and delivers what ordinary people want: security, opportunity, accountable government and a future they can believe in. Stability will come from partnership, not from politics that leave people out.
This is the moment when the Trump administration can make a real difference.
With President Trump in the White House and Secretary of State Marco Rubio helping shape foreign policy, Washington has a chance to reset its relationship with Libya around practical cooperation and measurable results. This fits squarely with the administration’s focus on strategic partnerships, economic opportunity and making sure everyone shares the load.
Libya is not looking for open-ended commitments or heavy-handed intervention. What it offers is the chance to help build a partner that can boost regional stability, create new economic opportunities, strengthen energy security and support American interests across the Mediterranean and Africa.
For years, the conversation about Libya has focused on its problems. Maybe it is time to start talking about what is possible.
Washington faces a clear choice. The United States can keep seeing Libya as a crisis from the past, or it can help create the conditions for Libya to become a success story in the years ahead.
President Trump has a chance to lead that change. By focusing on practical partnerships, economic growth and stronger institutions, his administration can help Libya reach its potential and strengthen America’s position in a region that matters.
Helping Libya become stable is not about charity. It is a smart investment that serves American interests and gives Libyans a real shot at building a peaceful, prosperous country.
By doing this, Washington would not just be helping Libya’s future. It would be strengthening its own.
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Steve Bovo is a former state Representative and Miami-Dade County Commissioner who was elected Mayor of Hialeah in 2021. He is with Corcoran Partners.
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