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.

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

In the News

Mar 9, 2015

Mezran on Surface-To-Air Missiles in Libya

By Karim Mezran

The Tampa Bay Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on surface-to-air missiles in Libya and who controls them:

Libya
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Feb. 5, 2015

NATOSource

Mar 9, 2015

NATO Seeks to Speed Up Decisions on Military Deployment

By Valentina Pop, Wall Street Journal

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is seeking to speed up decision making on military deployments as part of the alliance’s response to threats posed by Russia and Islamic State, the alliance’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday.

Libya NATO

Event Recap

Mar 6, 2015

Libya: An Update on the Negotiations and Current Crisis

By Rafik Hariri Center

Under the auspices of the Libya Working Group, the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East hosted Fadel Lamen, a Nonresident Fellow and Chair of the National Dialogue Preparatory Commission in Libya, for a roundtable discussion about the current situation in Libya and the status of ongoing negotiations. Lamen was recently in Geneva […]

Libya

MENASource

Mar 6, 2015

Patriotism and Nationalism in Egypt

By Sally Toma

I first met him in Tahrir Square, following the bloody events of February 2. On the day known as the Battle of the Camel, at least eleven were killed and over 600 wounded.  Mina Daniel, wounded earlier that day, was a Copt who struggled with other socialists for justice, freedom, and above all dignity for […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 6, 2015

Who Are Egypt’s New Ministers?

By Ali Mohamed

In a surprise move, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab announced a minor cabinet reshuffle that included eight ministries ahead of Egypt’s March economic conference. The reshuffle included the ministries of culture, tourism, agriculture, communications, education, and interior. Of the eight new ministers, two are taking up entirely new portfolios – the ministry of population and the ministry […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 5, 2015

Q&A: What Do We Know about Egypt’s Parliamentary Elections?

By EgyptSource

The fate of Egypt’s parliamentary elections once again hangs in the balance following a ruling by the Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC). On March 1, the highest court in Egypt ruled the Parliamentary Constituencies Law unconstitutional. Two days later, the Cairo Administrative Court confirmed the delay in elections, and a committee formed by Prime Minister Ibrahim […]

Elections North Africa

MENASource

Mar 4, 2015

Behind the Headlines: Libyans React to a Growing Crisis

By Victoria Heckenlaible

The bloody conflict in Libya has scattered approximately 400,000 people across the country. The burden on Libyans increases every day that warring factions continue to bicker over power and that ISIS is allowed to solidify their foothold. 

Libya

In the News

Mar 4, 2015

Khan on Egypt’s Economic Difficulties

By Mohsin Khan

Middle East Institute quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Mohsin Khan on Egypt’s economic difficulties and the need for foreign investment:

North Africa

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2015

Can Morocco Talks Unite Libyan Rivals?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council analyst says ISIS threat must galvanize political foes Rival factions in Libya must come together for talks in Morocco this week to take on the threat posed by an affiliate of the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), says Atlantic Council analyst Fadel Lamen. An ISIS affiliate has exploited the political and […]

Libya

In the News

Mar 4, 2015

Al-Ghwell: The Rise and Rise of Libya’s Rogue General

By Hafed Al-Ghwell

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Hafed Al-Ghwell writes for Al Jazeera on the recent appointment of General Khalifa Haftar as Commander in Chief of the Libyan armed forces:

Libya

Experts