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

In the News

Sep 9, 2014

Mezran on US Involvement in Libya

By Karim Mezran

Voice of America quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on how the conflict in Libya affects neighboring countries and the region more broadly: 

Libya

MENASource

Sep 8, 2014

The Hunger Strike

By Amr Hamzawy

The hunger strike is a final means by which those held in pre-trial detention can call for their freedom, an end to their injustices, and guarantees of due process and a fair trial in their cases. It is a means for them to demand that arbitrary restrictions imposed on them are lifted, or that they […]

North Africa

In the News

Sep 4, 2014

Mezran and Eljarh on the Situation in Libya

By Karim Mezran, Mohamed Eljarh

The Global Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran and Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh on what Libya’s future looks like:

Libya

MENASource

Sep 4, 2014

The Federalist Movement in a Deeply Divided Libya

By Mohamed Eljarh

As Islamist militants and nationalist rivals battle for control of Libya, fears of a civil war loom larger. Between repeated armed clashes, competing governments, and volatile rhetoric, the need for a political process has gone from necessary to urgent.

Libya

MENASource

Sep 4, 2014

Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta Targets Social Media and Reality TV

By EgyptSource

In the wake of the advance of the Islamic State of Syria and al-Sham (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria, Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta has been focused on a campaign combating extremism. Dar al-Ifta, the religious institution, has called on international media to stop referring to the extremist group as the Islamic State, and aims to “promote […]

North Africa

In the News

Sep 3, 2014

Eljarh: Libyans are Bracing for Civil War

By Mohamed Eljarh

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh writes for Foreign Policy on the violence in Libya led by an alliance of Islamist militias:

Libya

In the News

Sep 1, 2014

Mezran on Embassy Seizure in Libya

By Karim Mezran

The Wall Street Journal quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on the militia seizure of the US embassy residential compound in Libya: 

Libya

In the News

Sep 1, 2014

Mezran on Conflict in Libya

By Karim Mezran

Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran joins Al Jazeera English’s The Stream to discuss the ongoing conflict in Libya: 

Libya

Article

Aug 31, 2014

Column: Saudi-Iran Meeting Could Boost Fight Against Islamic State

By Barbara Slavin

To say that there are a lot of moving pieces in the Middle East these days is certainly an understatement. From Libya to Yemen, Gaza to Iraq, outside powers are intervening in complex confrontations that pit religious fundamentalists against secularists, dictators against democrats and ethnic minorities against each other.

Iraq Libya

MENASource

Aug 29, 2014

Hunger Strikes: Egypt’s Last Vestige of Dissent

By Khaled Dawoud

After a midnight visit to his father, lying in critical condition at hospital, well-known jailed activist, Alaa Abdel-Fattah announced on August 19 his hunger strike, bringing attention to his demand for release while on trial over charges of organizing an unauthorized protest. His decision renewed a relatively stalled effort calling for the release of dozens […]

North Africa

Experts