Foreign intervention in Libya has plunged the country from one civil war into another. As of this writing, local jihadist forces have aligned with either al-Qaeda or ISIS and control substantial portions of territory. Meanwhile, three rival governments, backed by coalitions and militias struggle for control and legitimacy. In addition, the factions are aided by competing foreign powers. The victor in the conflict will get to shape the nation and inherit the country’s 67 billion USD sovereign wealth. Yet, the geopolitical web of allegiances and interests has polarised the society. To make sense of the current circumstances we will go over the origins of the second Libyan civil war.