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

Aug 12, 2014

Burrows: The Strongmen Cometh

By Mathew Burrows

Strategic Foresight Initiative director Mathew Burrows writes for US News & World Report on the return of authoritarianism to governments across the Middle East:

Iraq North Africa
USS Harry S. Truman in the Mediterranean Sea, Aug. 5, 2013

NATOSource

Aug 12, 2014

Why is the Mediterranean Relatively Peaceful?

By Victor Davis Hanson, National Review

For the last 70 years, the Mediterranean has been quieter than at any other time in its long history . . . Why?

Middle East NATO

MENASource

Aug 11, 2014

The Amputation of Egypt’s Islamist Political Arm

By Tarek Radwan

Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court ruling to dissolve the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) hammered yet another nail into the Muslim Brotherhood’s coffin. On Saturday, Judge Fareed Tanago delivered the verdict that would end any formal Brotherhood participation in Egypt’s political life, citing the violation of the “principles required for a popular, democratic, political party” and […]

North Africa

MENASource

Aug 11, 2014

Mr. Moneybags in Egypt

By Jonathan Guyer

Last week, the privately-owned and widely-circulated Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm published three political cartoons about corruption in a single day. It’s not unusual to print so many illustrations in one edition; the paper sometimes publishes a dozen comics in a day. But what can we make of three independent cartoonists devoting their frame to criticizing […]

North Africa

MENASource

Aug 11, 2014

The Week in Egypt [August 11, 2014]

By Elissa Miller

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

North Africa

In the News

Aug 8, 2014

Eljarh: A Parliament Without a Country?

By Mohamed Eljarh

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mohamed Eljarh writes for Foreign Policy on ongoing fighting in Libya:

Libya

MENASource

Aug 8, 2014

Tunisia’s Political Prospects

By Duncan Pickard

Consensus has characterized Tunisia’s transition to democracy. Ennahda, the self-styled Islamic party, governed in coalition with two secular parties. The National Dialogue, which made several important decisions about the stages of the transition, prompted Ennahda to agree to step down from power—a first for an Islamic party in the region—in favor of a technocratic government.

North Africa

In the News

Aug 7, 2014

Slavin and Mezran on Libyan Presidential Candidate Meetings in Washington

By Karim Mezran, Barbara Slavin

Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran is quoted in Al-Monitor by South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin on Libyan interim Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni’s recent meetings with Obama administration officials in Washington:

Libya

MENASource

Aug 7, 2014

The Nour Party’s Dilemma

By Khaled Dawoud

An accusation leveled at strict Salafist groups in Egypt, especially among political Islamic parties, has been that they are keen to maintain good relations with any government in power in order to maintain their presence, particularly in the mosques where they preach. This was the case, in particular, under ousted President Hosni Mubarak. While armed […]

North Africa

Press Release

Aug 6, 2014

Tunisia’s Transition Under Threat Without Counterterror Support

By Atlantic Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE In a public address at the Atlantic Council, Tunisian President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki urgently called on the United States and its Western partners to support his country’s fight against terrorism. He warned that without their help to secure the country in the run-up to elections, terrorists will seek to destabilize the country, […]

North Africa

Experts