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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

Oct 24, 2014

Egypt’s Crackdown on Student Protests: The Last “Open Space”

By Rana Muhammad Taha

With a tumultuous academic year in 2013/2014 that left at least sixteen students dead, Egypt’s authorities have braced themselves for more upheaval. Weeks ahead of the start of the semester, measures have been put in place to control, or even eliminate, on-campus student activity.

North Africa

MENASource

Oct 23, 2014

Photo Essay: Countdown to Tunisia’s Parliamentary Elections

By Christine Petré

Tunisians will head to the polls to elect a parliament on October 26, the first election since the adoption of the post-revolution constitution earlier this year. After polarization intensified in 2013 on the heels of two high-profile political assassinations, the upcoming parliamentary elections mark a critical step toward consolidating Tunisia’s democracy.

North Africa

Event Recap

Oct 23, 2014

Parliamentary Elections 2014: Tunisia’s Political Landscape

By Atlantic Council

On October 26, Tunisians head to the polls to elect a parliament amid frustration and uncertainty in the transitioning country’s stability. Fear and distrust of political elites, a sluggish economy, high unemployment, and deteriorating security have tempered electoral enthusiasm, raising prospects for low voter turnout. Parliamentary elections, the first since the adoption of the new […]

Elections North Africa

MENASource

Oct 23, 2014

Tunisia’s Elections Amid a Middle East Cold War

By Youssef Cherif

With the Tunisian elections mere days away, political parties face a skeptical population fed-up with politics after a turbulent three years since the revolution that ousted Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Short of resources for their electoral campaigns, parties search for their appropriate patrons as the country tries to fend off a deepening economic crisis.

North Africa

Event Recap

Oct 22, 2014

Luncheon Discussion with Tunisian Presidential Candidate Mondher Zenaidi

By Africa Center

On November 28, nearly four years after the Arab Spring swept across much of North Africa and the Middle East, Tunisians will go to the polls to elect their first president since the adoption of a new constitution.

Africa North Africa

MENASource

Oct 22, 2014

Libya: The Lesser of Two Evils

By Mohamed Eljarh

Benghazi has seen scores dead and many more injured during the third week of October in armed confrontations. Since October 15, the city has witnessed air strikes by air force jets loyal to retired General Khalifa Haftar, suicide bombings by Ansar al-Sharia against youth neighborhood night watch teams, and street fights between armed residents and […]

Libya

In the News

Oct 22, 2014

Eljarh: Can Libya’s Central Bank Survive as the Country Fractures?

By Mohamed Eljarh

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh writes for Foreign Policy on whether Libya’s central bank will be able to survive the ongoing conflict in the country: 

Libya

MENASource

Oct 21, 2014

Prospects for Judicial Reform in Egypt

By Yussef Auf

Of Egypt’s many state institutions, the judiciary has had a significant effect on—and was most affected by—the Egyptian revolution. Over the last three years, the Egyptian judiciary’s rulings and decisions has played an influential role in Egypt’s trajectory, prompting some to say that it was driving the transition. At the same time, the judiciary has […]

North Africa

MENASource

Oct 21, 2014

[VIDEO] Tunisia’s Path Forward: An Interview With Minister Hedi Larbi

By Lara Talverdian

Tunisia has been hailed as the best hope for success in consolidating a democracy in the Arab world. The situation is fragile, however, as the country faces serious economic woes and growing security concerns.

North Africa

MENASource

Oct 20, 2014

Tunisia’s Elections a Test of Commitment

By Duncan Pickard

During the drafting of the Tunisian constitution, adopted in January 2014, it was axiomatic to say that passing a text was a serious challenge, but that implementation would be even more daunting. The constitution’s first serious test will come after October 26, when Tunisian authorities will hold the first legislative elections under the new constitution.

North Africa

Experts