Arab dreams: From his first moment in power, Qaddafi focused much of his attention abroad. A proclaimed believer in Arab nationalism, Qaddafi sought to make himself a power broker in Middle Eastern and African affairs—even hoping to unify the Arab world during consultation with Egypt and Sudan in 1970. His interventionist tendencies often took Libya to the brink of war, occupying parts of Chad from 1973 to 1987 and feuding with Egypt over its growing Israeli ties in 1977. Above, Qaddafi with Nasser in 1969.