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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

May 20, 2014

Hawthorne: Egypt is a Hard Country to Support Right Now

By Amy Hawthorne

Reuters quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Amy Hawthorne on the uncertain future of US aid to Egypt in light of recent human rights abuses:

North Africa

In the News

May 20, 2014

Mezran: Libyan General’s Offensive is an “Escalation”

By Karim Mezran

McClatchy quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on the offensive against Islamist militias in Libya by a renegade local general:

Libya

MENASource

May 20, 2014

Libya: Beyond the Islamist vs. non-Islamist Divide

By Karim Mezran

Over the weekend, Libya experienced some of the worst violence since the 2011 uprising. Headlines about inter-militia clashes, evacuating families, and a mounting death toll do little to paint a clear picture of the dynamics at play.

Libya

MENASource

May 19, 2014

Short-Term Stability in Sinai Will Exacerbate Tensions for Egypt’s Next President

By Zack Gold

The Egyptian governorate of North Sinai is a volatile region in which and from which violent actors have lashed out at the country’s military and security forces since even before the 2011 fall of Hosni Mubarak. From the summer of 2011, the Egyptian armed forces and police have worked to reestablish stability in the Sinai […]

Elections North Africa

MENASource

May 19, 2014

Party Positions on Presidential Elections: Inside the Decision-Making Process

By Sarah El Sirgany

Political parties in Egypt have three choices for this year’s presidential elections: supporting former defense minister Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, former presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabbahi, or boycotting. It is a simple task that does not require the scrutinizing of multiple electoral programs for their compatibility with party agendas—so simple that it was put to […]

Elections North Africa

MENASource

May 15, 2014

Third Eye Blind: The State of the Egyptian Media

By Mohamed Selim

Consensus is nonexistent in contemporary Egypt. Politicians, academics, and activists comprise the actors in a perpetual tragedy, a circular argument filled with nonsensical disagreement and contention over ulterior motives and selfish pecuniary advantages.

North Africa

MENASource

May 13, 2014

Egypt 2014: Debunking the Neo-Nasserist Myth

By Amr Hamzawy

Amid the grating cries of today’s agents of darkness, who propagate the fascist slogan “you are either with us or against us,” who serve our “sultan,” and not surprisingly buy into the deal of “obedience to the government for protection and profits;” amid the voices that justify injustices and violations of human rights and freedoms, […]

Elections North Africa

MENASource

May 13, 2014

Benghazi must not Overshadow Big Picture of Libyan Security

By Karim Mezran

Of Libya’s manifold challenges, deteriorating security has occupied most of the international community’s attention, particularly in the aftermath of the tragedy in Benghazi that claimed the lives of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans in September 2012.

Libya

In the News

May 12, 2014

Mezran: Benghazi Must Not Overshadow the Big Picture of Libyan Security

By Karim Mezran

Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran writes for CNN Global Public Square on why renewed engagement in Libya and support for the country’s democratic transition is key to improving the security situation there:

Libya

MENASource

May 12, 2014

On the Death of those in the Prime of Life

By Amr Hamzawy

Death is great and we but objects of its laughter When we think ourselves in the prime of life, it dares to cry out among us –Rainer Maria Rilke

North Africa

Experts