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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.

Libya

Content

In the News

Oct 1, 2015

Slavin: Tunisian Prime Minister Promises Economic, Security Reforms

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al-Monitor on Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid’s call for Turkey to implement economic and security reforms, quoting Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Karim Mezran:

North Africa

MENASource

Oct 1, 2015

A Close Look at the Changes to Egypt’s Ministries

By Elissa Miller

When Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi swore in a new cabinet in mid-September, several ministries were merged or abolished, and one new ministry was created. The Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training, the Ministry of Urban Development, the Ministry of Scientific Research, and the Ministry of Population, were each merged with other ministries, the […]

North Africa

In the News

Oct 1, 2015

Mezran on the European Union and Libya

By Karim Mezran

POLITICO quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on EU efforts to assist Libya:

Libya

MENASource

Oct 1, 2015

These Are the Ten Issues Sisi Focused on in New York

By Brandan Martini

During a five day visit to New York, where he was participating in the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi gave two public addresses, conducted interviews with AP, CNN, and PBS, and published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal.

North Africa

MENASource

Sep 29, 2015

Will Tunisia’s Economic Reconciliation Law “Turn the Page”?

By Elissa Miller and Katherine Wolff

The bill has provoked considerable mistrust at a time when Tunisia, plagued by a spiraling economy and relentless security challenges, desperately needs unity. Trust is needed among the Tunisian people and the country’s political parties as the government prepares to embark on challenging reforms that may be its only hope for economic survival.

Democratic Transitions Middle East

MENASource

Sep 29, 2015

Libya’s Only Viable Option

By Karim Mezran

Libya’s UN Special Envoy Bernardino Leon announced on September 21 that the text of the UN agreement for a unity government based on Libya’s political dialogue is final and closed to revisions. It is now up to the parties to accept or reject the proposal.

Libya

In the News

Sep 29, 2015

Mezran on Libya After Qaddafi

By Karim Mezran

PBS quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on life in Libya after the overthrow of Muammar Qaddafi:

Libya

EconoGraphics

Sep 22, 2015

Migrant Flows and the Future of Europe

By Global Business and Economics

As Europe confronts the migrant crisis, much of the current coverage remains fixed on short run trends, but in order to have a comprehensive perspective it is necessary to project these trends into the future. In spite of commonly held concerns of migrants' effect on European identity, many of these nations' birthrates and outflows of migrants will actually be higher than their intake of migrants. Negative flows of migrants could further weaken pension plans, as aging European populations struggle to balance social welfare models with demographic realities.

Afghanistan Economy & Business

MENASource

Sep 18, 2015

Egypt Downplays Reopening of Israeli Embassy

By Khaled Dawoud

All announcements on the official reopening of the Israeli embassy in Cairo last week came from Israel, while Egyptian officials were either silent or appeared to downplay the event. Egypt’s stance was likely an effort to avoid a backlash from the generally anti-Israeli public opinion. The announcement, nonetheless, was criticized by staunch opponents of President […]

North Africa

MENASource

Sep 16, 2015

What to Expect from Egypt’s Impending Migration Law

By Tom Rollins

Egypt is now one step closer to passing a migration law that would, for the first time in the country’s history, outlaw and proscribe penalties for the crime of people smuggling.

North Africa

Experts