North Africa

Poverty and Conflict in the Middle East

By Matthew Timmerman

From its outset, the self-immolation of a crestfallen Tunisian vegetable vendor, the Arab Spring was largely about poverty. Mohamed Bouazizi’s final words before igniting himself and the region were, “How do you expect me to make a living?”

Tunisia’s Political Prospects

Although Tunisia’s democratic transition has been rocky, it presents what has been called the “best hope” among the Arab transition states. Elections scheduled for later this year are important in their own right, but are also viewed as a litmus test for the future of inclusive politics. On Wednesday, July 30, 2014, Hariri Center nonresident […]

Q&A: Navigating a Faltering Transition in Libya

By Karim Mezran, Lara Talverdian, and Katherine Wolff

Violent battles in Libya’s capital have intensified over the past several weeks, with the Tripoli airport under siege and a recent decision by the US government to evacuate US embassy staff. Libya’s political transition has been overwhelmed by deteriorating security, but international attention is sporadic at best—often only responding to attacks from Islamist militias or […]

The Upcoming Elections Rivalry in Tunisia

By Naim Ameur

The Islamist party, Ennahda, won the first post-Ben Ali election of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) on October 23, 2011, forming a coalition government with two smaller parties. But months of unrest and conflicts obliged Ennahda to relinquish the government to overcome political deadlock and to join the National Dialogue.

State Department Religious Freedom Report Highlights Discrimination in Egypt’s Judiciary

By EgyptSource

Released on July 28, the US State Department’s 2013 International Religious Freedom Report documents the status of religious minorities and religious freedom in Egypt over the course of the year, whether under former president Mohamed Morsi, or under the interim government after his removal.