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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

MENASource

Mar 17, 2015

What Was Pledged at Egypt’s Investment Conference?

By EgyptSource

Prior to Egypt’s Economic Development Conference, Investment Minister Ashraf Salman had said Egypt expects to sign agreements worth up to $20 billion at the summit. With the conference coming to a close on Sunday, Salman revealed the final figures coming out of the summit. According to Salman, Egypt signed deals worth a total $38.2 billion, […]

North Africa

In the News

Mar 16, 2015

Al-Ghwell: What Is Not Being Discussed About Libya

By Hafed Al-Ghwell

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Hafed Al-Ghwell writes for Al Jazeera on the prospects for a peace treaty in Libya:

Libya

In the News

Mar 16, 2015

Eljarh on ISIS Attempting to Cut Off Libya’s Oil Revenue

By Mohamed Eljarh

TIME quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh on ISIS attempting to cut of Libya’s oil revenue and taking advantage of Libyan disunity:

Libya
Italian helicopter participating in NATO exercise, June 24, 2009

NATOSource

Mar 13, 2015

Defending Italy from the Islamic State

By James Stavridis, Washington Post

Following the decapitation of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians by radical Islamists professing an allegiance to the Islamic State, the Italian government has begun ramping up efforts to defend its territory from attack. How realistic is this threat? And what should Italy do?

European Union International Organizations

MENASource

Mar 13, 2015

Q&A: Egypt Launches the First Day of its Economic Conference

Egypt launched its three day economic conference in Sharm al-Sheikh on Friday, with thirty heads of state in attendance. In the first day, over $13 billion in aid was pledged to Egypt, the bulk of which has come from the Gulf countries of UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Find out more about the first day […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 12, 2015

The New Face of Egypt’s Interior Ministry

By Khaled Dawoud

As attacks against security forces show no signs of abating, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi recently replaced Egypt’s Interior Minister, Mohamed Ibrahim, with Magdy Abdel Ghaffar. However, Sisi was keen to make it clear this was not in response to opposition demands, and even provided Ibrahim with an honorary title of National Security Adviser to the Prime […]

North Africa
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Jan. 22, 2014

NATOSource

Mar 12, 2015

Germany’s Foreign Minister: The Transatlantic Order is Under Challenge

By Frank-Walter Steinmeier, New York Times

Today, the trans-Atlantic bond is being tested again. Crises are erupting ever closer to the European Union’s borders:

European Union Germany

MENASource

Mar 12, 2015

Why Was Ahmed Douma Given a Life Sentence?

By Sonia Farid

In the midst of a series of court rulings targeting young Egyptian activists on charges related to the controversial protest law, the life sentence handed to Ahmed Douma has been the most shocking. Charged with illegal assembly, assaulting security forces, and vandalism, Douma was also fined 17 million Egyptian Pounds for the alleged damage he […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 12, 2015

Celebrating the Economic Potential of the Maghreb

By Mohamed Malouche

More than four years since the Tunisian revolution, ignited by popular anger at high unemployment, a lack of regional development, and few opportunities for advancement, Tunisia and the rest of the Maghreb nations, most notably Algeria and Morocco, have placed a renewed emphasis on entrepreneurial innovation.

Morocco North Africa
Photo: REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

Issue Brief

Mar 12, 2015

Morocco’s gradual political and economic transition

By Mohsin Khan and Karim Mezran

In contrast to popular uprisings throughout the Middle East and North Africa in 2011, Morocco has emerged relatively unscathed, avoiding destabilizing political upheaval or economic impact. The case of Morocco has surprised many observers because its weak and problematic social, political, and economic indicators are much like those of the other transitioning countries. In “Morocco’s […]

Morocco North Africa

Experts