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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 27, 2014

The Week in Egypt | October 27, 2014

By Shiyun Lu

Catch up on the latest out of Egypt every week, with analysis, news updates, photos, videos, and more.

North Africa

Issue Brief

Oct 27, 2014

Reforming Tunisia’s troubled security sector

By Bassem Bouguerra

In a new Atlantic Council issue brief titled “Reforming Tunisia’s Troubled Security Sector,” Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East nonresident fellow and security sector reform activist Bassem Bouguerra explains the barriers to reforming the North African country’s troubled security apparatus and offers possible paths forward for reform. Rather than undermining government efforts to counter […]

Extremism
North Africa

In the News

Oct 27, 2014

Dahshan on Crackdown on Egyptian Militants

By Mohamed El Dahshan

The Financial Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed El Dahshan on Egypt’s increased crackdown on militants in the country: 

North Africa

In the News

Oct 26, 2014

Eljarh on ISIS Influence in Libya

By Mohamed Eljarh

The Financial Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh on the influence that the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham has had on Libyan militia groups: 

Libya

In the News

Oct 26, 2014

Slavin: Egyptians Visit Washington to Defend Their “Revolution”

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al-Monitor on a recent visit to Washington by an Egyptian delegation:

North Africa

MENASource

Oct 24, 2014

Carter Center Under Fire in Egypt

By Khaled Dawoud

The Carter Center’s decision last week to end its operations in Cairo, after sharply criticizing Egypt’s human rights record and an atmosphere unconducive to hold fair parliament elections, sorely embarrassed a government that has claimed it is on track to restore the country’s elected bodies.

North Africa

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

Experts