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

Al-Hurra News Features Event on Tunisia

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

Al-Hurra News Features Event on Tunisia

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

Al-Hurra News Features Event on Tunisia

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

Nov 12, 2015

Al-Hurra News Features Event on Tunisia

By Atlantic Council

Al-Hurra News features the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center event on November 4 with Tunisian Nobel prize winner Hussein Abassi:

North Africa

MENASource

Nov 12, 2015

The Islamic State’s Pattern of Retaliation in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula

By Zack Gold

The Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) branch in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula claimed responsibility for downing Metrojet flight 9268 on October 31. If the group managed to infiltrate Sharm al-Sheikh airport and put an explosive device on the Russian plane, that would be a great achievement for the group and a massive blow to Egypt’s image […]

North Africa

MENASource

Nov 10, 2015

Libya: Back to Square One?

By Karim Mezran

Many authoritative commentators have already expressed their astonishment at the scandal enveloping the United Nations and the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Their shock is indeed justified.

Libya

In the News

Nov 10, 2015

Hellyer on Egypt’s Handling of the Sinai Plane Crash

By H.A. Hellyer

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow H.A. Hellyer joins CNN to discuss Egypt’s handling of the Sinai plane crash and the international community’s concerns:

North Africa

MENASource

Nov 10, 2015

Spotlight on Recent Developments in Egypt: Arrests and Detentions

By Elissa Miller and Brandan Martini

In the past few days, two prominent Egyptian figures were detained on various charges. Rights activist and journalist Hossam Bahgat was detained by the military prosecution on charges of spreading false news and subsequently released, while businessman Salah Diab and his son were detained on charges of unlicensed weapons’ possession. Photojournalist Esraa al-Taweel was also […]

North Africa

In the News

Nov 9, 2015

Hellyer: Egypt Can’t Blame Everyone Else

By H.A. Hellyer

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow H.A. Hellyer writes for Al Arabiya News on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit to the United Kingdom:

North Africa United Kingdom

In the News

Nov 9, 2015

Hellyer on Bahgat Arrest

By H.A. Hellyer

Buzzfeed News quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow H.A. Hellyer on the arrest of human rights activist and journalist Hossam Bahgat in Cairo:

North Africa

In the News

Nov 7, 2015

Ricciardone on Terrorism in Egypt

By Francis Ricciardone

Reuters quotes Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis Ricciardone on the support for Egyptian President Sisi’s anti-terrorism campaign: 

North Africa

In the News

Nov 7, 2015

Hellyer on UK-Egypt Relationship

By H.A. Hellyer

BBC quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow H.A. Hellyer on the impact of the crash of a Russian airliner jet on relations between the United Kingdom and Egypt:

North Africa Russia

In the News

Nov 6, 2015

Khan and Mezran on Economic Reform in Tunisia

By Atlantic Council

The National quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Mohsin Khan and Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on economic reform in a post-revolution Tunisia:

North Africa
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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
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