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

Saab on Potential ISIS Involvement in Sinai Plane Crash

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

Saab on Potential ISIS Involvement in Sinai Plane Crash

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

Saab on Potential ISIS Involvement in Sinai Plane Crash

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 5, 2015

Saab on Potential ISIS Involvement in Sinai Plane Crash

By Bilal Saab

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab joins KCBS Radio to discuss potential ISIS involvement in the downing of Russian Metrojet Flight 9268 in the Sinai Peninsula, and why it’s important to wait for hard evidence and withhold judgement:

North Africa Russia

In the News

Nov 5, 2015

Hellyer on Egypt’s President

By H.A. Hellyer

The Economist quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow H.A. Hellyer on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi:

North Africa

In the News

Nov 5, 2015

Hellyer on ISIS’s Sinai Affiliate

By H.A. Hellyer

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow H.A. Hellyer joins CNN to discuss ISIS-affiliated militants in the Sinai Peninsula, amid uncertainty over the crash of Metrojet Flight 9268: Watch the full interview here.

North Africa
NATO warships participating in Trident Juncture exercise, Oct. 29, 2015

NATOSource

Nov 5, 2015

NATO to Reinforce its Mediterranean Presence

By Sam Jones, Financial Times

Nato will outline proposals next month for a new “southern strategy” in response to mounting instability across the Middle East and Russia’s growing military presence south of the Bosphorus….

Iraq Libya

In the News

Nov 5, 2015

Mabrouk on the Sisi Administration

By Mirette F. Mabrouk

Rafik Hariri Center Deputy Director Mirette Mabrouk joins BBC to discuss the policies of President Sisi in Sinai:

North Africa

MENASource

Nov 5, 2015

UGTT’s Position in Tunisia’s New Political Order

By Naim Ameur

Tunisia celebrated the Quartet’s selection to win the Peace Nobel Prize for its role in steering the national dialogue on October 9. Composed of the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT), the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade, and Handicraft (UTICA), the Human Rights League, and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers, the Quartet successfully resolved a complicated […]

North Africa

New Atlanticist

Nov 4, 2015

‘Please Be Patient’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Leader of Tunisia’s Nobel-winning labor union says international pressure on his country to undertake reforms is unhelpful The international community must be patient and recognize that Tunisia is undergoing a delicate transition instead of applying unrealistic pressure on the North African nation to undertake reforms, Hussein Abassi, the leader of Tunisia’s powerful labor union and […]

North Africa

In the News

Nov 4, 2015

Elgohari on Human Rights Violations in Egypt

By Mohamed Elgohari

Al Modon Lebanon quotes Rafik Hariri Center Assistant Director Mohamed Elgohari on the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing on human rights violations in Egypt: Read the full article here.

North Africa

Webcasts

Nov 4, 2015

A Conversation with Tunisian Nobel Prize Laureate Hussein Abassi

By Rafik Hariri Center

Please note: The live webcast will air in Arabic, English will be available post-event. The Atlantic Council is pleased to invite you to a discussion with Mr. Abassi on the role of institutions in pluralistic democracies in the Middle East on November 4, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Council is honored to […]

North Africa

MENASource

Nov 4, 2015

Sisi in London: What to Expect

By H.A Hellyer

From November 4 to 6, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will be in the UK on an official visit. It marks the first trip to London by an Egyptian president since the January 25 revolutionary uprising in 2011. The trip raises a number of questions around Western engagement with Egypt under Sisi, particularly from one […]

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