Libyan Civil War

During the wave of uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa known as the Arab Spring, the Libyan Civil War was one of the bloodiest conflicts. It was also among the first wars fought in the information age—or, more specifically, the age of misinformation—starting in 2011. Right up until Gaddafi's gruesome execution in October 2011, social media was at its peak with what many now refer to as "fake news" from both sides, making it challenging to get a clearer picture of the situation.

Independent researchers and human rights organizations now have a far clearer understanding of the circumstance. The current government of Libya is made up of a number of warlords and factions, many of whom are radical Islamists, and is far from the stability and peace that the insurrection promised, at least in principle. Libya has become a refuge for slavers from all around the area in addition to the devastation caused by the war. According to human rights organizations and foreign observers, it's reportedly the only country with an open slave market.

Date: 2011–present

Location: Libya