North Africa

North Africa

The North Africa region, sometimes called the Maghreb, holds strategic and political importance for the United States and Europe with its geographic crossroad between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Destabilized by the tumultuous uprisings of the Arab Spring, the developments in these countries are reasons for concern as well as hope, as different political, security, and economic conditions take shape in each country.

Featured commentary & analysis

Hellyer on Egypt’s Reaction to UK Muslim Brotherhood Review

MENASource
May 7, 2026

Egypt’s bet on land monetization

By
Amir Asmar

There’s little doubt that Egypt’s land development efforts will have measurable economic benefits, but they are unlikely, by themselves, to put the country’s economy on a solid footing.

North & West Africa

Hellyer on Egypt’s Reaction to UK Muslim Brotherhood Review

MENASource
Apr 9, 2026

Egypt’s foreign minister: One cannot secure waterways ‘while ignoring the political order of the states’ along the shore

By
Maisoon H. Kafafy

Maisoon H. Kafafy reached out to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty for his thoughts on this turbulent moment and the instability in the Horn of Africa.

East Africa
Ethiopia

Hellyer on Egypt’s Reaction to UK Muslim Brotherhood Review

MENASource
Mar 31, 2026

Can France and Algeria get their relationship back on track?

By
Karim Mezran

There are signs of a thaw between Algeria and France; however, there appears to be no real political strategy for redefining the relationship.

France
North Africa

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

Dec 17, 2015

Hellyer on Egypt’s Reaction to UK Muslim Brotherhood Review

By H.A. Hellyer

Mada Masr quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow H.A. Hellyer on Egypt’s response to the United Kingdom’s Muslim Brotherhood review:

North Africa United Kingdom

In the News

Dec 17, 2015

Mezran on Libya’s Government

By Karim Mezran

Lettera 43 (Italy) interviews Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on the Libyan peace agreement and, in particular, the security challenges to establishing a new Libyan government in Italy.

Libya

In the News

Dec 17, 2015

Eljarh on Libya’s Peace Deal

By Mohamed Eljarh

The Christian Science Monitor quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh on the dangers of the pending United Nations-backed Libya peace deal: 

Libya

In the News

Dec 15, 2015

Gold on International Airport Security

By Zack Gold

The Gulf Online quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Zack Gold on airport security measures following the deadly bombing of a Russian airliner over Egypt’s Sinai peninsula: 

North Africa Russia

In the News

Dec 15, 2015

Gold: Wilayat Sinai Risks Backlash After Metrojet Bombing

By Zack Gold

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Zack Gold writes for Combating Terrorism Center Sentinel on Wilayat Sinai, the Sinai affiliate of ISIS that claimed responsibility for the downing of a Russian aircraft over Egypt’s Sinai:

North Africa Russia

In the News

Dec 14, 2015

Hellyer: The Point Was To Be True; The Rest is Commentary

By H.A. Hellyer

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow H.A. Hellyer writes for Mada Masr on freedom of expression and independent journalism in Egypt:

North Africa

In the News

Dec 14, 2015

Hellyer on the Downing of a Russian Airliner Near the Sinai Peninsula

By H.A. Hellyer

The Guardian quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow H.A. Hellyer on Egypt announcing it found no evidence of terrorism in the downing of a Russian airliner near the Sinai Peninsula:

North Africa Russia

In the News

Dec 9, 2015

Eljarh on Libyan Peace Deal

By Mohamed Eljarh

Middle East Eye quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh on a UN-brokered deal for peace in Libya amidst backlash from the country’s own elected officials:

Libya

In the News

Dec 7, 2015

Eljarh on Libya’s Political Crisis

By Mohamed Eljarh

Agence France-Presse quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh on the difficulties facing the new Libyan political agreement reached outside of UN-led talks:

Libya

In the News

Dec 5, 2015

Pham on Tunisia’s Youth Unemployment

By J. Peter Pham

Business Insider quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on Tunisia possessing one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world:

North Africa
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Alhussain Abdalla

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic

Millennium fellow

Ramzi Abunemreh

Architectural Manager, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Asia Economy & Business

Fellow

Perrihan Al-Riffai

Nonresident Senior Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Kirk Allen

Digital Communications Lead, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Millennium Leadership Program

Middle East NATO Partnerships

Fellow

Shahira Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic Civil Society
Load More