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.

Libya

Content

New Atlanticist

Apr 2, 2015

Joint Arab Military Force: A Force for Stability?

The heads of Arab League countries agreed at a summit in Egypt last month to set up a joint military force. Tarek Radwan, an Associate Director for the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center and editor of the MENASource blog, interviewed Atlantic Council analysts who weighed in on these plans.

Iraq North Africa

MENASource

Apr 2, 2015

The Joint Arab Military Force and Yemen: Stability or Sectarianism?

The conclusion of the Arab League Summit on March 30, 2015 culminated in a grand statement announcing the formation of a joint Arab military force to tackle regional challenges from the Maghreb to Yemen. While significant, particularly given the ongoing military operations and ground force mobilization led by Saudi Arabia against the Houthis in Yemen, […]

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Apr 1, 2015

Court Watch: Egypt’s Major Ongoing Trials

By Ali Mohamed

Egypt’s courts have become a flashpoint for major changes in the country’s political landscape. Between multiple charges brought against Islamists, including leading Muslim Brotherhood members among them ousted president Mohamed Morsi, and against secular activists, including leaders from the April 6 Movement, the judiciary has been at the forefront of Egypt’s post-Morsi roadmap. The following […]

North Africa

MENASource

Apr 1, 2015

Egypt Governments Stalls Effort to Dub Hamas “Terrorists”

By Khaled Dawoud

With Egypt spearheading the creation of a unified pan-Arab military force and lending air and naval support to efforts by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, it appears that the current government is making strides to restore Egypt’s image as a regional leader. The country’s role in the Middle East Peace Process has, however, been impacted […]

Middle East North Africa

In the News

Mar 31, 2015

Hawthorne on the End of a Weapons Freeze Against Egypt

The New York Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Amy Hawthorne on the decision to end a weapons restriction against Egypt:

North Africa

In the News

Mar 31, 2015

Hawthorne on the Resumption of Military Aid to Egypt

The Washington Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Amy Hawthorne on the Obama administration’s decision to resume military aid to Egypt:

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 31, 2015

Checks, Balances, and the Draft Agreement on the Political Transition in Libya

By Azza Kamel Maghur

The United Nations Support Mission to Libya (UNSMIL) issued its first draft agreement on the political transition in Libya that was given to the parties to the political dialogue, taking place in different cities inside and outside of Libya since September 2014.

Libya

In the News

Mar 30, 2015

Al-Ghwell: What Will the United States and Europe do When the Dialogue on Libya Fails?

By Hafed Al-Ghwell

Rafik Hariri Nonresident Senior Fellow Hafed Al-Ghwell writes for Gulf News on why the United Nations dialogue on Libya will fail:

Libya

MENASource

Mar 27, 2015

Why Arab Intervention in Yemen Is So Significant

By Daniel DePetris

One of the main gripes among US officials in the past has been the inability, or unwillingness, of Arab governments to use their own military resources to solve security problems in the region.

North Africa Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Mar 26, 2015

A Better Award for Egyptian Women

Last week, local authorities in Luxor honored an Egyptian woman for dressing as a man for four decades to support her family. Days later, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi presented Sisa Abu Daooh with an award for being an exemplary mother. There is no discounting the burden and pressures Abu Daooh faced and awarding her […]

North Africa

Experts