A Camouflaged Weapon : Coercive Engineered Migration against Europe by Armed Nonstate Actors in Libya

Abstract: In a world witnessing unprecedented levels of forced displacement, the weaponization of migration has emerged as a potent and unexplored tool in the foreign policy arsenals of states and non-state actors. Challenging traditional state-centric perspectives in international relations, this thesis delves into the realm of Coercive Engineered Migration (CEM) employed by armed non-state actors. With a focus on Libya, a key player in the weaponization of migration against the European Union (EU), this study investigates the strategic orchestration of migration flows, coercive mechanisms, and the diplomatic preconditions underpinning these actions. The findings reveal evidence of multiple attempts of CEM against the EU by armed non-state actors in Libya during two distinct periods: 2014-2017 and 2020-2023. Employing coercion by punishment strategies and denial mechanisms, these actors mainly sought legitimacy and resources from the EU. Armed non-state actors gained more leverage compared to state actors due to their non-diplomatic status. This thesis contributes to the existing literature by challenging realist assumptions, diversifying the understanding of non-violent foreign policy strategies employed by armed non-state actors, and highlighting the often-overlooked significance of these actors in the realm of weaponized migration.