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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

MENASource

Mar 31, 2014

The Week in Egypt – March 31, 2014

By Daniel Stoker

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

North Africa

New Atlanticist

Mar 28, 2014

A Dangerous Lapse: US, EU Lose Focus on Arab Democracy

By New Atlanticist

The crisis over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dominated this week’s EU-US Summit in Brussels, followed by the topics that had been intended as top priorities for the meeting: negotiations for a broad transatlantic trade partnership and Europe’s anger at how pervasively it has been spied upon by the US National Security Agency. Missing from the […]

European Union
International Organizations

MENASource

Mar 28, 2014

Politicized Verdicts Mean No Real Accountability in Egypt

By EgyptSource

Much of the world’s press has been focused on an Egyptian trial in which 529 people were sentenced to death on March 24. What the press has failed to focus on is the root cause behind this, and three other mass trials in which 1,618 defendants will stand before the same judge: the violence that […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 28, 2014

European Union Critical of Egypt’s Lack of Reform in 2013

By EgyptSource

The European Union (EU), on March 27, issued a report critical of Egypt’s progress in enacting suggested reforms in 2013. The report, which makes recommendations for the future, also describes 2013 as a “challenging year, during which no particular progress can be reported,” in regards to earlier recommendations.

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 28, 2014

MENASource Discussions: Libya Through the Eyes of its Activists

By MENASource

As concerns grow about the marginalization of women in the Arab transitions, the Atlantic Council convened a discussion last week featuring four prominent Libyan women activists to highlight the challenges and opportunities facing Libya as it struggles to forge a path forward.

Libya

MENASource

Mar 28, 2014

Will the Gulf Help Tunisia?

By Svetlana Milbert

Faced with alarming unemployment rates and budgetary constraints, a delegation of Tunisian policymakers and businesspersons led by Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa travelled last week to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) in pursuit of financial support and renewed trade relations.

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 27, 2014

Translation of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s Resignation Speech

By EgyptSource

On March 26, Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced his resignation from the military and as minister of defense, in order to run in Egypt’s upcoming presidential elections. To run, Sisi had to resign before March 30, when registry for presidential candidates is expected to begin, so he can be included in the voter database. […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 27, 2014

A Margin for Democracy: Don’t Apologize for What You’ve Done

By Amr Hamzawy

I remembered the words of the great poet Mahmoud Darwish in his poem, ‘Don’t apologize for what you’ve done,’ after an argument with a friend. “You write about self-critique and self-examination, but you don’t reevaluate your thoughts or your position,” he said. “But you yourself have examined, critiqued, and explained,” I said.  “No,” he said. […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 27, 2014

Reactions to Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s Presidential Bid

By EgyptSource

In a speech delivered on national TV on Wednesday evening, former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced his candidacy, in a speech which focused mainly on the topics of security, the fight against terror and stability. News of his resignation as defense minister, and of his presidential bid, were met with varied reactions in Egypt, […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 26, 2014

Secretary Kerry Calls on Egypt to Reverse Ruling in Mass Trial

By EgyptSource

In the wake of the mass sentencing of 529 Egyptians to death, and another 1,500 set to stand trial in three separate cases, likely before the same judge, Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement condemning the trials and calling for the Egyptian government to reverse the rulings. The full statement can be read […]

North Africa

Experts