National Security Between Theory and Practice: An Analytical Study of Contemporary Threats and the Governance Dilemma in Libya (2011-2026)

Abstract

This study investigates the structural hiatus between theoretical frameworks of national security and their practical manifestations in fragile transitions, focusing on Libya (2011-2026). It aims to deconstruct contemporary threat landscapes and analyze the impact of institutional fragmentation on sovereign security decision-making. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical approach and the Copenhagen School’s securitization framework, the paper demonstrates how Libyan national security has devolved from a cohesive state-centric concept into a fragmented instrument serving non-state actors. The findings suggest that the security impasse is rooted in a 'governance gap' and the political economy of violence. The study advocates for a unified national strategy integrating military and economic dimensions to achieve sustainable stability.