Libya

Libya

With its proximity to Europe, its significant oil reserves, and its strategic importance to the stability of the North Africa region, the ongoing turmoil in Libya is a concern for the United States and its allies. Rival factions serving as proxies to competing regional powers continue to destabilize the country and hamper any national dialogue efforts. The role of the United States and Europe will be essential in encouraging dialogue, supporting the arms embargo, and contributing to any post-war economic revitalization plan.

Featured commentary & analysis

Mezran on Libya’s Future

MENASource
Jul 1, 2026

Libya doesn’t need another elite bargain

By
Karim Mezran

The US blessing of a power-sharing arrangement for Libya preserves a fragile stability today while increasing the risk of a much larger crisis tomorrow.

Libya
Political Reform

Mezran on Libya’s Future

MENASource
May 26, 2026

An oil windfall will not fix Libya’s economy

By
Ahmed Shalghoum and Frank Talbot

Libya’s new unified budget needs transparency, accountability, and oversight to deliver for the people.

Economy & Business
Libya

Mezran on Libya’s Future

MENASource
May 15, 2026

The problem with the US power-sharing plan for Libya

By
Karim Mezran, Dario Cristiani

The nascent US initiative may succeed in reducing tensions and creating a slightly more predictable environment for foreign businesses, but a structural transformation remains out of reach.

Corruption
Libya

Programs

Perspectives on North Africa

The North Africa Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East analyzes the strategic, political, and economic importance of the region for the United States and its allies. Since the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, North Africa has undergone political and economic transformations that have impacted stability and security in the region. With its geographic crossroad between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, North Africa continues to be an integral partner in addressing shared interests and concerns.

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Middle East Programs

Working with our 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.

EXPLORE THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL’S MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMS

Content

In the News

Aug 26, 2014

Mezran on Libya’s Future

By Karim Mezran

Middle East Eye quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran and Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh on the secret airstrikes in Libya launched by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates:

Libya North Africa

In the News

Aug 25, 2014

Mezran on the Crisis in Libya

By Karim Mezran

Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran joins Radio France International to dicuss Libya’s neighbors’ role in the Libyan crisis:

Libya

In the News

Aug 21, 2014

Mezran on Libyan Violence

By Karim Mezran

Ahram Weekly quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on the cycle of violence in Libya:

Libya

In the News

Aug 21, 2014

Mardini on Violence in Libya

By Karim Mezran

Ahram Weekly quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on the cycle of violence in Libya:

Libya

In the News

Aug 18, 2014

Mezran on Violence in Libya

By Karim Mezran

Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran is quoted by Voice of America on continuing violence in Libya: 

Libya

MENASource

Aug 18, 2014

An International Stabilization Force for Libya?

By Wolfgang Pusztai

Chaos rules the day in Libya. Since the elections for the House of Representatives in late June, the already unstable transition has fallen further off track.

Libya

In the News

Aug 15, 2014

Pickard: President Obama Can Still Help Libya

By Duncan Pickard

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Duncan Pickard cowrites for the Washington Post on what the United States can do to help the situation in Libya:

Libya

In the News

Aug 13, 2014

Radwan on Remittances to Egypt

By Tarek Radwan

The Global Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Associate Director Tarek Radwan on remittances to Egypt from Libya:

Libya North Africa

In the News

Aug 8, 2014

Eljarh: A Parliament Without a Country?

By Mohamed Eljarh

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh writes for Foreign Policy on ongoing fighting in Libya:

Libya

In the News

Aug 7, 2014

Slavin and Mezran on Libyan Presidential Candidate Meetings in Washington

By Karim Mezran, Barbara Slavin

Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran is quoted in Al-Monitor by South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin on Libyan interim Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni’s recent meetings with Obama administration officials in Washington:

Libya
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Experts

Fellow

Alhussain Abdalla

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran
Josh Kirshner is a nonresident senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

Fellow

Josh Kirshner

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Arms Control Defense Policy

Fellow

Alessia Melcangi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, North Africa Program

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society English

Staff

Karim Mezran

Director, Resident Senior Fellow, North Africa Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business
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