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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

New Atlanticist

Aug 21, 2013

No No-Fly Zone over Syria

By Paul Rasmussen

Last week’s meeting between General Dempsey and King Abdullah II of Jordan was noteworthy in that the subject of military intervention in Syria was not discussed.  After two years of endless strategic and political debate it seems that recent events have put an end to the suggestion that the United States should intervene in Syria.  […]

International Organizations North Africa

Event Recap

Aug 20, 2013

Stability or Democracy: What Do Gulf States Want for Egypt?

In an event moderated by Hariri Center Senior Fellow Richard LeBaron, journalist and commentator Sultan al-Qassemi and Hani Sabra, director for Middle East at the Eurasia Group analyzed Gulf state priorities towards Egypt in light of the turbulent changes taking place after Mohamed Morsi’s ouster.

North Africa

MENASource

Aug 20, 2013

Zidan Between a Rock and a Hard Place?

By Karim Mezran

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zidan has a full plate as he tries to steer the country towards empowering state institutions and building a nation. The recent resignation of his deputy prime minister, Awadh al-Barassi, followed by the shocking resignation of Interior Minister Mohammed Khalifa al-Sheikh after his appointment less than four months ago, point to […]

Libya

New Atlanticist

Aug 19, 2013

America’s Missed Opportunity in Egypt

By Matthew Bryza

The brutal crackdown on August 14 by Egypt’s interim government on supporters of ousted President Mohammad Morsi will produce no winners. Both the secular interim government and its Islamist predecessor demonstrated they lack the intellectual and political tools required to cope with Egypt’s complex challenges. Now, all Egyptians will suffer as the country descends into […]

Economy & Business North Africa

MENASource

Aug 19, 2013

Who Loses from Cutting Off US Military Aid to Egypt?

By Mohsin Khan

Whether Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s recent ouster was a coup or not is a much debated topic in Washington circles, as analysts, government officials and pundits struggle over the question of suspending military aid to Egypt. Most analysts and many US politicians conclude that a coup is a coup and US law says military aid […]

North Africa
"The cancellation of an invitation for both the exercise within NATO and the bilateral exercise has been conveyed" to Egypt

NATOSource

Aug 16, 2013

Turkey Blocks Egypt from Joining NATO Naval Exercise

By Today's Zaman

Turkey has canceled two naval military drills with Egypt over the Arab nation’s violent crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood protesters that has killed more than 600. . . .

NATO North Africa

MENASource

Aug 16, 2013

Gulf State Divisions Reemerge in Reaction to Cairo Crackdown

By Richard LeBaron

Different approaches in the Gulf to the ongoing change in Egypt emerged again in stark relief as the Gulf states began to publicly enunciate their reactions to the massive display of force and loss of life in Egypt on August 14. While some commentators had speculated that Gulf positions regarding political change in Egypt might […]

North Africa

MENASource

Aug 16, 2013

In Egypt, Liberal Hypocrisy Can Kill Democracy

By Faysal Itani

The Muslim Brotherhood’s forced ouster in Egypt is a turning point in the political evolution of the Arab world. The Brotherhood’s military and civilian opponents would prefer to put this difficult chapter to end quickly, and to see the Brotherhood experiment as a mere footnote in Egyptian history. More likely, however, the increasingly violent crackdown […]

North Africa
" I call on all sides to exercise restraint and refrain from violence"

NATOSource

Aug 16, 2013

NATO Secretary General Speaks Out on Violence in Egypt

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

Statement by the NATO Secretary General on the events in Egypt

NATO North Africa

MENASource

Aug 16, 2013

Working Group on Egypt Issues Statement on Suspending Military Aid

By EgyptSource

In the wake of a deadly crackdown on supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi’s supporters, the Working Group on Egypt has issued a statement urging the United States to suspend military aid to Egypt until, among other conditions, authorities lift the state of emergency and release all political prisoners.

North Africa

Experts