North Africa

Libya: In Search of Neutrality

By Karim Mezran

As Libya continues to fragment, diplomats have mobilized to confront the current crisis. Spain has hosted an international conference focused on the North African country’s current situation; UN Special Representative Bernardino Leon testified before the Security Council about his recent visits to Libya; envoys from the West, particularly the United Kingdom, shuttle between the different […]

What to Expect from Sisi’s UNGA Speech

By Maged Atiya

With Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi set to speak at the United Nations General Assembly this week in New York, the annual ritual of world leaders addressing, and occasionally haranguing, the assembled body will be conducted in a more troubled world this year. Aside from the simmering potential conflict between the West and Russia over […]

Terrorism and the Economy in Tunisia

By Moez Labidi

Over the past two years, Tunisia has been plagued by terrorist attacks, characterized by car bombs and targeted political assassinations. In the wake of increased terrorist threats, economic recovery—largely overshadowed by the electoral process—remains in jeopardy.

The Shadow of the Helwan Brigades

By Wael Eskandar

Ten seconds into a video showing over a dozen men armed with assault rifles threatening to target the police in south of Cairo, a man’s voice can be heard in the background instructing the men to ‘hold up [the] Rab’a [sign].’ Promptly, the men hold up four fingers as the main speaker continues to deliver […]

Indirect Repression: When Reason is Eliminated

By Amr Hamzawy

The Egyptian regime is currently ruling the country via strategies of increased repression, which is exercised both directly and indirectly. This is seen in its attempts to improve the economic and social conditions in the country, and in its populist rhetoric based on the myth of the “saving hero,” and the reinstatement of autocracy as […]

Egypt’s Role in Libya: Lessons Learned from Iraq

By Nader Bakkar

Taking an in-depth look at what role Egypt can play in the current crisis in Libya reveals that a full military intervention, a limited military incursion, or a ‘surgical operation,’ are wrought with negative repercussions. But what of a collective Arab or international military intervention?  What of an indirect intervention to provide intelligence or logistical assistance […]

The Trap of Friendly Fire

By Khaled Dawoud

The recent release of two Muslim Brotherhood figures from prison in Egypt, the first since the army’s removal of former President, Mohamed Morsi, fourteen months ago, increased speculation that secret reconciliation talks were taking place between the two sides. While any negotiations were firmly denied in official statements by the government and the Muslim Brotherhood, […]

Despite Detours and Reservations, Egypt Navigating Transition Reasonably Well

By The Atlantic Council

Despite political detours and reservations, Egypt is moving forward and navigating its transition reasonably well, said Ahmed Galal, former Minister of Finance for Egypt and managing director of the Economic Research Forum. Galal was speaking at a Hariri Center public discussion, “Tackling Egypt’s Economic Dilemma” on September 10, 2014. Atlantic Council Vice President and Hariri […]

Egypt’s Authorities Re-engineer the Public Space

The January 25 revolution brought Egypt nothing more than trouble and turmoil, bringing Egypt to the brink of civil war and collapse–or so the thinking goes among the firmly entrenched authoritarian mindset controlling the country.