North Africa

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.

Featured commentary & analysis

The US-EU Role in the Arab Transitions

MENASource
May 7, 2026

Egypt’s bet on land monetization

By
Amir Asmar

There’s little doubt that Egypt’s land development efforts will have measurable economic benefits, but they are unlikely, by themselves, to put the country’s economy on a solid footing.

Egypt
North Africa

The US-EU Role in the Arab Transitions

MENASource
Apr 9, 2026

Egypt’s foreign minister: One cannot secure waterways ‘while ignoring the political order of the states’ along the shore

By
Maisoon H. Kafafy

Maisoon H. Kafafy reached out to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty for his thoughts on this turbulent moment and the instability in the Horn of Africa.

East Africa
Egypt

The US-EU Role in the Arab Transitions

MENASource
Mar 31, 2026

Can France and Algeria get their relationship back on track?

By
Karim Mezran

There are signs of a thaw between Algeria and France; however, there appears to be no real political strategy for redefining the relationship.

France
North Africa

Programs

Perspectives on North Africa

The North Africa Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East analyzes the strategic, political, and economic importance of the region for the United States and its allies. Since the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, North Africa has undergone political and economic transformations that have impacted stability and security in the region. With its geographic crossroad between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, North Africa continues to be an integral partner in addressing shared interests and concerns.

Learn more about the Middle East 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.

EXPLORE THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL’S MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMS

Content

MENASource

Mar 26, 2014

The US-EU Role in the Arab Transitions

By Danya Greenfield and Amy Hawthorne

Ukraine and Russia dominated the EU-US Summit in Brussels today, followed by the original top priority items of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and surveillance by the National Security Agency. But missing from the agenda was another issue that needs high-level transatlantic attention: the worrisome situation in the Arab transitioning countries, namely, Egypt, Libya, […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 25, 2014

For Democracy: An Everyday Approach to Citizens

By Amr Hamzawy

In order for the forces defending freedoms, human rights, and the democratic transition to move beyond the weak position they now find themselves in, they must develop a realistic social and economic plan. Similarly, it is essential for them to take a grounded approach to citizens’ priorities, demands, and concerns—as a result, building citizens’ confidence […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 24, 2014

International Community Slams Death Sentence for 529 Morsi Supporters [Update]

By Daniel Stoker

An Egyptian court on Monday sentenced 529 supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi to death for an assault on a Minya police station that left a senior police officer dead. The attack on the police stations occurred shortly after security forces cleared two large pro-Morsi sit-ins on August 14. Said Youssef, the head of the […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 24, 2014

The Week in Egypt – March 24, 2014

By Daniel Stoker

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

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 24, 2014

Social Bonds Hold Libya Together, But Stronger Political Bonds Needed to Prosper

By Fadel Lamen

Recent foreign reporting of Libya would suggest that we are on the brink of a civil war. The departure of Prime Minister Zeidan, the inability of the central government to prevent the escape of a mystery oil tanker laden with Libyan oil, the fighting in Sirte: taken together, these portend, in the eyes of outside […]

Libya

MENASource

Mar 24, 2014

The Army’s Miracle Cure: Today’s Joke, Tomorrow’s Tragedy

By Mohamed El Dahshan

It was not a cruel joke, and it appears the tragedy endures: on March 23, the Egyptian army’s research unit posted on its Facebook page a link to an online Google spreadsheet, titled “Registration form for Virus C and HIV/AIDS Patient”, for those wishing to book an appointment for treatment. A few hours later, the […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 24, 2014

Addressing Youth Unemployment in Tunisia

By Svetlana Milbert

Three years after Tunisian youth lead an uprising that brought down Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s autocratic regime and triggered political transitions across the Arab world, they remain economically marginalized with limited socioeconomic opportunities. While the uprising afforded new civil liberties for all Tunisians, persistent high youth unemployment threatens to derail progress.

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 20, 2014

The Road to Presidential Elections

By EgyptSource

With Egypt’s second presidential elections in two years expected to take place within as many months, the electoral law, possible candidates, and the final results, have been mired in controversy. Keeping tabs on the process, EgyptSource will be providing periodic updates on the latest news coming out of the Egyptian elections process. 

Elections North Africa

MENASource

Mar 19, 2014

This is Egypt: New Voices, Untold Stories [Video]

By Daniel Stoker

Since January 25 2011, the Egyptian political scene has been dominated by a war of narratives each defining Egypt on its own terms and each claiming to represent the people. Chants of “bread, freedom, and social justice,” heard during the early days of revolutionary fervor were later replaced by “the army and the people are […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 19, 2014

Egypt’s Elite and an End to a Call for Democracy

By Amr Hamzawy

My mind is still bewildered as I try to explain why Egypt’s elite have ceased calling for democracy and adherence to its procedures.  I try to understand how they accept (sometimes silently) violations of human rights and freedoms and a renewal of the authoritarian, subjugating nature of the government’s relationship to society and citizens. Here, […]

North Africa
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Experts

Fellow

Alhussain Abdalla

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic

Millennium fellow

Ramzi Abunemreh

Architectural Manager, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Asia Economy & Business

Fellow

Perrihan Al-Riffai

Nonresident Senior Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Hasib Danish Alikozai

Chief, Afghanistan Branch, USAGM, Voice of America

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Asia Human Rights

Millennium fellow

Kirk Allen

Digital Communications Lead, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Millennium Leadership Program

Middle East NATO Partnerships

Fellow

Shahira Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Economy & Business
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