North Africa

‘If You Don’t Bet on Tunisia … You Can Say Goodbye to Democracy in the Arab World’

By The Atlantic Council

President Marzouki: US Should Embrace Moderate Islamists, Help Us Fight Extremists As Tunisia struggles to convert its 2011 Arab Spring revolution into stable democracy, the US and its allies frankly aren’t helping much, President Moncef Marzouki told the Atlantic Council. “The West gave more support to the dictatorship, because of so-called stability,” than it now […]

President Marzouki Urges US Policymakers to Stay Focused on Tunisia

By The Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council hosted a private, high-level luncheon for His Excellency President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki to discuss the need for greater US and EU support for Tunisia’s transition. Among the participants were representatives from the US Congress, US Government agencies, international financial institutions, and private industry.

Lifting the Safety Net in Egypt

With the formulation and adoption of a new budget last month, Egyptian authorities took the bold step to reduce fuel subsidies in an effort to correct an economy in turmoil after three years of civil unrest.

Finally Some Action on Subsidies in Egypt

By Mohsin Khan and Svetlana Milbert

As part of the budget for the current fiscal year 2014/2015, the Egyptian government took a bold step to reduce fuel subsidies on July 4. Gasoline prices were increased by an average of 42 percent, with the lowest octane gasoline price rising by 78 percent, diesel by 64 percent, and compressed natural gas by 175 […]

Five Long-Term Challenges for NATO Beyond the Ukraine Crisis

By Karl-Heinz Kamp, NATO Defense College

NATO needs to find consensus on at least five questions which go far beyond the current crisis in Ukraine.

Not Too Late To Save Libya

By Richard Northern and Jason Pack

Libyans, who experienced such high hopes after their country’s liberation in 2011, now face escalating violence and a growing humanitarian crisis in Benghazi and Tripoli. Many are fleeing. The implications may be as serious as the conflict in Gaza. Yet there is no concerted effort to mediate a ceasefire.

Libya’s Downward Spiral

Libya stands today at the precipice as inter-militia fighting threatens to derail an already fragile transition in a tumultuous region.

Hearing Reveals US State Department has not Adapted to New Egypt Realities

By Elissa Miller

Civil society organizations and nongovernmental organization (NGOs) in Egypt are in a crisis. In late June, the Ministry of Solidarity presented a restrictive new NGO draft law that would severely restrict the formation, activities, and funding of NGOs. Egypt’s repressive climate for NGOs, however, is not new. In December 2011, the Egyptian authorities, objecting to […]