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

MENASource

Mar 4, 2015

Imaginary Obstacles to Democracy in Egypt

By MENASource

While the world accepts President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s rule in Egypt, the return and general acceptance of authoritarian tendencies—including a crackdown on human rights and political activists, the promulgation of repressive laws by decree, and the heavy-handed regulation of civil society organizations—has sparked questions surrounding the durability the state-centric culture and indefinite postponement of democracy.

North Africa

In the News

Mar 4, 2015

Eljarh on the Ancient Sites Under Threat by ISIS

By Mohamed Eljarh

Newsweek quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh on which ancient sites in Libya could come under threat by ISIS:

Libya

MENASource

Mar 3, 2015

The Illusions Surrounding the Concept of Democracy in Egypt

By Amr Hamzawy

A number of illusions have surrounded the concept of democracy in Egypt since the 1950s, placing democratic ideas under a kind of cognitive, moral, intellectual, and political “siege” that prevented them from taking root in Egyptian society.  These illusions are among the factors that have allowed authoritarianism to remain entrenched in Egypt for such a […]

North Africa

In the News

Mar 3, 2015

Eljarh on the Influx of Foreign Fighters to Libya

By Mohamed Eljarh

Newsweek quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh on the influx of foreign fighters to Libya and how this is part of ISIS’s strategy to overtake failed states:

Libya

In the News

Mar 3, 2015

Eljarh on the ISIS Stronghold in Derna, Libya

By Mohamed Eljarh

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh, who is based in Libya, joins ABC News Radio to discuss the ISIS stronghold in Derna, Libya and how the ISIS militants have not been successful in implementing strict policies: Listen to the full interview here.

Libya

MENASource

Feb 28, 2015

The Egyptian Parliament: A Presidential Right to Dissolution

By Yussef Auf

With the many legal challenges facing Egypt’s coming parliament, even if it is not dissolved by a ruling of the Supreme Constitutional Court, it may still be dissolved by the president. The political system in Egypt’s Constitution is a distorted one, based on the consolidation of the powers of the president at the expense of […]

Elections North Africa

In the News

Feb 27, 2015

Al-Ghwell: If We Fail in Libya, Is There Hope in Other Places?

By Hafed Al-Ghwell

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Hafed Al-Ghwell writes for Al Jazeera on why the conflicts in Libya and the Middle East demonstrate a new period in the history of the Middle East and North Africa:

Libya

MENASource

Feb 27, 2015

If We Fail in Libya

By Hafed Al-Ghwell

A former US State Department official wrote several weeks ago: “Observing events in Libya since the revolution has often been like watching someone set his dining room table while the house is on fire.” The reality is, it is not just Libya’s house that’s on fire, but the whole neighbourhood, while everyone idly looks on. 

Libya

MENASource

Feb 26, 2015

The ISIS Game Plan in Libya

By Chris Chapman

The Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) has expanded beyond its original territory in Iraq and Syria and is working to establish a base of operation in North Africa. Libya is the catalyst for such aspirations, given its chaos since the fall of Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.

Libya

MENASource

Feb 26, 2015

The Egyptian Parliament: Constitutional Short-Comings of the Laws Regulating Elections

By Yussef Auf

There have been various legal reasons used to challenge the constitutionality of the laws organizing the upcoming parliamentary elections. For the most part, these reasons are based on controversial legal articles, many of which were rejected by a large segment of the political forces in Egypt.

Elections North Africa

Experts