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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

Issue Brief

Jul 31, 2015

To vote or not to vote: Examining the disenfranchised in Egypt’s political landscape

By Sarah Sirgany

The postponement of parliamentary elections in Egypt, scheduled for March 2015, marked a setback in the country’s democratic political process. Electoral politics are effectively on hold. Meanwhile, Muslim Brotherhood supporters have adopted a violent confrontational strategy toward the state, secular opposition parties are increasingly ineffectual, and voter fatigue remains a serious dilemma. In “To Vote […]

North Africa

MENASource

Jul 30, 2015

Five Issues That Should Be Discussed at the US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue

By Amy Hawthorne

The main purpose of the August 2 US-Egypt strategic dialogue in Cairo seems to be to demonstrate that the two countries are settling back into more normal ties after two difficult years.

North Africa

In the News

Jul 30, 2015

Mezran on Libya Trials

By Karim Mezran

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Karim Mezran joins Sky News to discuss the flawed process of the trials of Gaddafi officials:

Libya

MENASource

Jul 29, 2015

Sheltering Tunisia’s Democratic Experiment from the Region’s Storms

By Jason Pack and Andrea Brody-Barre

It has become common wisdom in Western capitals that Tunisia is the Arab Spring’s only (partial) success story. Yet more needs to be done to protect the country from the instability that surrounds it and threatens to reverse its vulnerable democratic progress.

Libya North Africa

In the News

Jul 29, 2015

Hawthorne: The US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue: Drift Along the Nile

By Amy Hawthorne

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Senior Fellow Amy Hawthorne writes for the Council on Foreign Relations about the upcoming US-Egyptian strategic dialogue:

North Africa

MENASource

Jul 29, 2015

Burying the Emotional Baggage

By Amr Hamzawy

There he goes, now in his forties, returning to the university he once attended, to the city that gave him a love for life, for beauty, and for freedom. He wants to relive that “new beginning” the city gave him in his twenties. But it doesn’t work.

North Africa

In the News

Jul 28, 2015

Eljarh on Gaddafi’s Son’s Death Sentence

By Mohamed Eljarh

The Financial Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh on a Libyan court sentencing to death Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of ousted leader Muammer Gaddafi:

Libya

New Atlanticist

Jul 28, 2015

Courting Chaos in Libya

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Death sentences for Gadhafi’s son, eight others, another bad move by Tripoli, says Atlantic Council’s Karim Mezran The decision by a Tripoli court to sentence a son of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi to death by firing squad is the latest in a series of “self-defeating maneuvers” by authorities in Libya’s capital, says the Atlantic […]

Libya

MENASource

Jul 27, 2015

In Egypt, a Fine for Journalists is Worse than a Prison Sentence

By Khaled Dawoud

The outrage over the draft anti-terror law, particularly articles relating to access to information and freedom of the press, is unlikely to come an end soon. Journalist Syndicate board members expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s recent compromise regarding an article criminalizing the publication of information on terror attacks and counterterror operations that contradict official statements. […]

North Africa

MENASource

Jul 24, 2015

Islamist Media in a Post-Morsi World

By Basil El-Dabh

On the evening of July 3, 2013, then Minister of Defense Abdel Fattah al-Sisi delivered the speech that would permanently change the trajectory of Egypt. Egyptian satellite channel Misr25 broadcast the speech along with all channels in the country.

North Africa

Experts