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

Feb 13, 2015

The Al Jazeera Trial: A Timeline

By EgyptSource

On February 12, the defendants in the Al Jazeera trial were released on bail as they face a retrial on charges of aiding a terrorist group and publishing false news to harm national security. Below is a timeline from their arrest in December 2013, to their release in January 2015.

North Africa

MENASource

Feb 12, 2015

Tunisia Between Subsidies and Security

By Chris Chapman

With a democratically elected parliament and president, now come Tunisia’s difficult growing pains of balancing newly earned freedoms with security reform and economic transformation. Tunisia’s leadership must guide the country through a difficult path that addresses the primary needs of Tunisians—from curbing violent terrorism to increasing economic opportunity.

North Africa

MENASource

Feb 11, 2015

Putin’s Visit to Egypt: Much Pomp but Little Circumstance

By Mark N. Katz

Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a widely publicized visit to Egypt from February 9 to 10.   The government-backed Egyptian press gushed over how well Russia (unlike America) treats the Egyptian government.  Some commentary in the Russian press proclaimed the visit to be another sign that Russia was gaining influence in the Middle East while America […]

North Africa Russia

In the News

Feb 11, 2015

Slavin: Former Egyptian Diplomat Cites Progress on Women’s Rights

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al Monitor on Egypt’s mixed record on women’s rights:

North Africa

MENASource

Feb 10, 2015

Lessons for Sinai from Yemen

By Nervana Mahmoud

Following the recent major attacks by militants that killed at least twenty-seven people, mostly soldiers, in Sinai, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi made two important decisions. He has established a unified military command east of the Suez Canal to fight radical groups in the Sinai Peninsula. He has also pledged $1.3 billion to develop the […]

North Africa Yemen

In the News

Feb 10, 2015

Mezran on Libya

By Karim Mezran

French-language Jeune Afrique quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on Libya:

Libya

MENASource

Feb 9, 2015

Death of Saudi King Ends Hope for Egypt-Qatar Rapprochement

By Khaled Dawoud

Chances for reconciliation between Egypt and Qatar have faded quickly amid renewed charges in Cairo that the oil-rich Gulf state is back to its regular policy of supporting the currently outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group. Egypt has gone so far as to accuse Qatar of supporting the recent terrorist attacks against the army in Sinai.

North Africa Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Feb 7, 2015

Who Are Egypt’s New Governors?

By EgyptSource

Several university professors, two judges, three generals, a former columnist, and several government officials are among the seventeen new Egyptian governors who were sworn in on February 7 in the first governor reshuffle since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi came to office.

North Africa
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Munich Security Conference, Feb. 6, 2015

NATOSource

Feb 6, 2015

NATO Secretary General Sees Danger in Russian Aggression and Annexation

By Jens Stoltenberg, NATO

Last year was a turning point. For European security. And for the global order. Here in Europe, we see a dangerous pattern of Russian behaviour. Annexation. Aggressive actions. And intimidation.

Middle East NATO

In the News

Feb 6, 2015

Hawthorne on the Fiscal Transparency Report

By Amy Hawthorne

US News quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Amy Hawthorne on the State Department’s annual Fiscal Transparency Report and what it means for Egypt:

North Africa

Experts