Rafales, Not Rules

MENASource
May 27, 2025

Beyond ceasefires: Reimagining stability and engagement in Libya

By
Karim Mezran and Roberta Maggi

With all major political institutions mired in crisis, a renewed approach to peace enforcement is pivotal to building stability.

Libya
Middle East

Rafales, Not Rules

MENASource
May 14, 2025

Choppy waters: Egypt’s waning patience with President Trump

By
Shahira Amin

The US president’s Suez Canal demands signal “a shift in US-Egyptian relations” which experts describe as “at their lowest ebb in decades.”

Middle East
North Africa

Rafales, Not Rules

EnergySource
Mar 11, 2025

The Mediterranean must work collectively to harness the power of renewables

By
Karim Elgendy

The EU Commission’s recent release of its Clean Industrial Deal underscored regional commitment to decarbonization. To capitalize on this momentum, the Mediterranean must engage in cross-border collaboration to overcome geopolitical tension and limited finance to achieve its renewables goals.

Energy & Environment
Energy Markets & Governance

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

Libya

Rafales, Not Rules

MENASource
May 16, 2025

The killing of Abdul Ghani al-Kikli may be a turning point for Libya

By
Karim Mezran and Dario Cristiani

The killing is considered to be part of a push to eliminate influential militia leaders and consolidate GNU loyalist control over Tripoli.

Libya
Middle East

Rafales, Not Rules

MENASource
Apr 30, 2025

From Tripoli to Tehran: Lessons from Libya in US-Iran nuclear talks

By
Yaseen Rashed

Twenty-one years later, the nuclear disarmament of Libya serves as a model for the United States in current nuclear negotiations with Iran.

Iran
Libya

Rafales, Not Rules

MENASource
Apr 16, 2025

Solving Libya’s economic collapse will require confrontation—not consensus

By
Emadeddin Badi

If the status quo continues, the next phase of Libya’s crisis will not be quiet erosion. It will be public revolt.

Africa
Economy & Business

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Content

Corporate Strategy Forum

Apr 3, 2015

Rafales, Not Rules

By James Hasik

While Foggy Bottom and the Pentagon and the White House make policy, the Élysée Palace makes sales. King Abdullah wants drones, and 23 US congressmen want to loan Jordan some American Predators for the duration of the war. The Emirates want drones, and my colleague Bilal Saab told the Beirut Daily Star that industry there is getting quite capable making […]

Defense Industry France

In the News

Apr 3, 2015

Mezran: Solving Libya’s ISIS Problem

By Karim Mezran

Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran cowrites for the New York Times on ISIS in Libya and the UN Security Council’s vote to extend the fight against ISIS to Libya:

Libya

MENASource

Apr 2, 2015

Expert Opinion: Egypt’s Role in a Joint Arab Military Force and Yemen

By EgyptSource

In the past weeks, Egypt has been a key player pushing for the formation of a joint Arab military force, and a vital ally in the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthi rebel movement in Yemen. As reports emerge of a possible ground invasion in Yemen—likely Egyptian troops supported by a Saudi air campaign—a joint regional […]

North Africa Yemen

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
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Experts

Staff

Manal Fatima

Assistant Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Disinformation Middle East

Fellow

Simin Kargar

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cybersecurity Disinformation

Fellow

Alessia Melcangi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society English

Staff

Karim Mezran

Director, Resident Senior Fellow, North Africa Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business
Emily Milliken

Staff

Emily Milliken

Associate Director, Media and Communications, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Libya

Fellow

Brian O’Toole

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Cuba Economic Sanctions
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