North Africa

The North Africa region, sometimes called the Maghreb, holds strategic and political importance for the United States and Europe with its geographic crossroad between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Destabilized by the tumultuous uprisings of the Arab Spring, the developments in these countries are reasons for concern as well as hope, as different political, security, and economic conditions take shape in each country.

Eljarh on the Libyan Unity Government Plan

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

Eljarh on the Libyan Unity Government Plan

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

Eljarh on the Libyan Unity Government Plan

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

Eljarh on the Libyan Unity Government Plan

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

Eljarh on the Libyan Unity Government Plan

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

Eljarh on the Libyan Unity Government Plan

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

Read More on Libya

Content

In the News

Mar 25, 2015

Eljarh on the Libyan Unity Government Plan

By Mohamed Eljarh

Financial Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh on the UN envoy to Libya’s unity government plan:

Libya

In the News

Mar 25, 2015

Al-Ghwell: More Stick, Less Carrot Needed in Libya

Rafik Hariri Nonresident Senior Fellow Hafed Al-Ghwell writes for Al Jazeera on the need to implement sanctions against Libyan war criminals:

Libya

MENASource

Mar 24, 2015

A Half Victory in the Fight against Police Violence

By Khaled Dawoud

In recent weeks, Egypt has witnessed a series of charges brought against security personnel. Recently, Prosecutor Hisham Barakat announced the decision to charge a police officer with the killing of peaceful protester and Socialist Popular Alliance Party (SPAP) member—Shaimaa al-Sabbagh. A day later, a police general and conscript were also charged with concealing evidence in […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 23, 2015

Tunisia’s Foreign Policy: A Delicate Balance

By Youssef Cherif

As a small and relatively poor country with limited natural resources and military capabilities, Tunisia will have to manage its relationship with powerful Western countries and volatile regional partners to ensure its future stability.

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 23, 2015

Egypt’s New Capital: The Promise and the Illusion

By Sonia Farid

The highlight of Egypt’s three-day investment conference held in mid-March was the announcement of a new capital city. The news also proved to be the most controversial of the international gathering, where Egypt concluded deals surpassing all previously announced expectations. The 700-square kilometer new capital, the first phase of which it is estimated will cost […]

North Africa

In the News

Mar 20, 2015

Mezran on the Tunisian-Libyan Border

By Karim Mezran

International Business Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on the difficulties of securing the Tunisian-Libyan border and what that means for Tunisia’s fight against terror:

Libya North Africa

MENASource

Mar 20, 2015

Making Sense of Bardo: Tunisia and Its Connection to Regional Instability

By Karim Mezran and Lara Talverdian

Wednesday’s armed assault on the Bardo Museum in Tunis ended in the tragic loss of life of at least twenty foreign tourists and two Tunisian museum employees. These were not senseless killings but rather a calculated move on the part of the militants who undertook the mission.

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 20, 2015

#WelcomeToTunisia: An Act of Resistance

By Victoria Heckenlaible

The tragic terrorist attack that claimed the lives of at least twenty foreign tourists and four Tunisians has sparked outrage and tough political reactions from the Tunisian authorities, promising a war or terrorism, but it also produced a softer act of defiance from Tunisian citizens and people around the world.

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 20, 2015

Making the Exception the Rule

By Amr Hamzawy

The pillars of justice include ethical values, the ability of people to make a living, and rule of law as a framework for managing the relationships between citizens, society, and the state.

North Africa

In the News

Mar 19, 2015

Mezran on the Tourist Massacre in Tunisia

By Karim Mezran

The Wall Street Journal quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on the danger of Tunisia reverting to its old way of autocratic rule after the Bardo Museum massacre that left twenty-one dead:

North Africa
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Ramzi Abunemreh

Architectural Manager, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Asia Economy & Business

Fellow

Perrihan Al-Riffai

Nonresident Senior Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Kirk Allen

Digital Communications Lead, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Millennium Leadership Program

Middle East NATO Partnerships

Fellow

Shahira Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Giangiacomo Calovini

Nonresident Senior Fellow, North Africa Program

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Europe & Eurasia
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