Recent events in North Africa continue to threaten the prospect of regional stability and security. Renewed tensions between Morocco and Algeria have reached unprecedented levels, and the conflict over the Western Sahara is gaining speed. Furthermore, political turmoil in Tunisia indicates that President Kais Saied’s power grab in July 2021 continues to inspire mass protests. Libya postponed its highly anticipated elections which were set for December 2021 and has yet to agree on a constitutional framework or a new election date.

How can the United States and its European allies engage in a more coordinated policy approach to the ongoing challenges in the North Africa region? Does the absence of a thriving transatlantic relationship open the door for intervention by Russia, China, and other players?

Please join us for an engaging virtual discussion in partnership with the US Embassy in Rome to address these and other questions on Thursday, February 24, 2022, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. ET.

Speakers

Karen Sasahara
Deputy Assistant Secretary for North Africa, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
US Department of State

Alfredo Conte
Principal Director for the Mediterranean and the Middle East
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Steven Cook
Eni Enrico Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies
Council on Foreign Relations

Dalia Ghanem
Senior Resident Scholar
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Thomas D. Smitham
Charge’ d’Affaires
US Embassy to Italy

Middle East Programs

Through our Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East and Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative, the Atlantic Council works with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.