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 6, 2015

Libya’s Geneva Talks and the Search for Peace

By Mohamed Eljarh

In Libya, basic services face the prospect of complete collapse as the country’s financial situation spirals out of control. The minister health of the internationally recognized government in the eastern city of al-Beida has warned of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, worse than that witnessed during the war against the Qaddafi regime in 2011.

Libya

MENASource

Feb 5, 2015

The Picture around Shaimaa

By Yasmin El-Rifae

On January 29, five days after Shaimaa el-Sabbagh was killed as police dispersed a peaceful protest in downtown Cairo, a group of women gathered at the site of her death. They were there to protest the brutality and impunity of the Egyptian police. The protest was small, with no more than seventy women taking part.

North Africa

MENASource

Feb 5, 2015

Fact Box: ‘Egyptian Revolutionary Council’ Visits Washington DC

By EgyptSource

A delegation of Egyptians in opposition to the current government arrived in Washington, DC on January 25 to meet with representatives from universities, research centers, and think tanks, as well as the US Department of State. The delegation represents the so-called Egyptian Parliament in Exile , a body affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, and the […]

North Africa

MENASource

Feb 4, 2015

Three Lessons Drawn from Tunisia’s Cabinet Formation Process

By Karim Mezran and Lara Talverdian

The political maneuverings in Tunisia over the last few weeks bear the hallmarks of a nascent democracy. Developments have involved negotiations, checks on power, and nuanced political calculations that demonstrate an overall political maturity among Tunisian authorities—the reason why so many international observers and policymakers have time and again heralded the North African country as […]

North Africa

MENASource

Feb 3, 2015

Fact Box: Over 50 Killed in Attacks Since January 25 Anniversary

By EgyptSource

Egypt has seen an uptick in terror attacks since the weekend marking the four year anniversary of the January 25 uprising. Over fifty people have been killed, among them at least twenty civilians, and over 150 injured, among them almost thirty civilians.  In addition to the casualties, bombs targeting infrastructure has led to blackouts in […]

North Africa

MENASource

Feb 3, 2015

The Myth of Libya’s Wealth

By Lydia Sizer

Observing events in Libya since the revolution has often been like watching someone set his dining room table while the house is on fire. Urgent problems go unattended while people try to act as if everything were normal—or at least as if there was no active conflict:

Libya

MENASource

Feb 2, 2015

The Pound’s Inevitable Devaluation Arrives

By Alfred Jasins

Over the past two weeks central bankers in Egypt have been implementing a managed devaluation of the local currency. The Egyptian pound has dropped from 7.14 Egyptian pounds against the dollar on January 18 to roughly 7.60 Egyptian pounds where it stands today. Many analysts expect the local currency to fall even further.  

Economy & Business North Africa

MENASource

Jan 30, 2015

The War of Leaked Recordings

By Khaled Dawoud

Two days before the fourth anniversary of the January 25, 2011 Revolution on Sunday, several Egyptian news websites reported alleged secret recordings of statements made by two senior Muslim Brotherhood members, Mohamed al-Beltagi and Azza al-Garf. In them, they were highly critical of ousted president and Brotherhood leader, Mohamed Morsi.  

North Africa

MENASource

Jan 30, 2015

What is Plan B for Libya?

By Wolfgang Pusztai

The current United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) mediation efforts constitutes a major step in the right direction to stabilize Libya. This initiative, however, requires sustained diplomatic pressure by international actors (regardless of which side they support), focused sanctions, and other actions as discussed recently by the EU foreign ministers.

Libya

In the News

Jan 29, 2015

Eljarh on the Power Struggle in Benghazi

By Mohamed Eljarh

Newsweek quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh on the power struggle between al-Qaeda and ISIS in Benghazi: 

Libya

Experts