ABSTRACT
The impact of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya upon Chad has been tremendous. The weakness of the Chadian state has meant little has stood in the way of Libyan influence and expansion. That Libya is concerned with fostering longer-term goals and a permanent presence in Chad may be seen in its efforts toward destabilizing any government not facilitating its interests. The impact of Libya upon Chad must be understood in light of the revolution's goal of frustrating and weakening Western influence in Islamic areas. Political and social divisions within Chad provide fertile ground for Libyan ideology. A disgruntled population seeking an identity is particularly vulnerable. Much confusion abounds concerning the Aouzou Strip in the Libyan-Chad border region. The 1980-1981 Libyan occupation demonstrated the tragedy of Chad's weak state structure. Libya's economic interest in Chad is secondary to the more intangible, ideological, political and cultural goals of the Jamahiriya.
