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

Podcast

Apr 27, 2023

What Russian mercenaries tell us about Russia

By Alia Brahimi

Host and nonresident senior fellow Alia Brahimi speaks with Russian defence analyst Pavel Luzin about what the proliferation of Russian mercenaries abroad tells us about Russia at home.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Apr 17, 2023

<strong>Safeguarding the past: The Arab world’s cure to Holocaust amnesia</strong>

By El Mehdi Boudra

On the eve of Yom Hashoah, it is no longer considered taboo in the MENA region to promote Holocaust education and genocide prevention. The region’s youth are more receptive to discussing the events of one of the darkest chapters of human history, despite the political, religious, and educational challenges shrouding this historic move that has been praised in some nations in the region and criticized in others.

Civil Society Education

MENASource

Apr 12, 2023

Egypt-Turkey normalization: Ankara’s perspective 

By Ali Bakir

While Turkey would prefer to speed up the normalization process, Cairo might prefer to wait until the next elections before expediting it.

Europe & Eurasia Libya

Podcast

Mar 23, 2023

Defeating the Wagner Group

By Alia Brahimi

Host and nonresident senior fellow Alia Brahimi speaks with author and former mercenary Dr. Sean McFate about his three-pronged strategy for defeating the Wagner Group.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Mar 15, 2023

Karim Mezran in The National Interest: Four Possible Scenarios for Tunisia’s Political Crisis

By Atlantic Council

North Africa Political Reform

In the News

Mar 13, 2023

Karim Mezran in Arab Digest: No End in Sight: Libya’s Consolidated Criminal Networks

By Atlantic Council

Libya Middle East

Article

Feb 28, 2023

There is no democracy without civil society

By Karim Mezran and Elham Saudi

Twelve years after the Libyan uprising, we are at a crucial point on Libya’s road to democracy. Now more than ever, it is important that civil society is at the heart of the approaching electoral process and future governance.

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Feb 28, 2023

To counter the Wagner Group’s presence in Africa, the US will need to prioritize stabilizing Libya

By Emadeddin Badi

Quelling the Wagner Group's influence in Libya will be challenging, as the US must address Libyan realities and unite Europe and regional powers to support its foreign policy endeavor.

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Feb 27, 2023

From Twitter spats to island disputes, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have a bone to pick with each other

By Shahira Amin

Cairo's relationship with its Gulf ally has become increasingly fractious in recent weeks after a Saudi official made clear that any future Gulf assistance ”will come with strings attached."

Middle East North Africa

MENASource

Feb 16, 2023

Fatma Said: Meet the soprano bridging the West and Arab world with her voice

By Holly Dagres

Egyptian opera singer Fatma Said was awarded the Rafik Hariri Artistic Excellence Award on February 14, 2023. The soprano was interviewed by our MENASource editor about her life and achievements.

Middle East North Africa

Experts