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

North Africa’s transatlantic relations amid change and continuity

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
North Africa’s transatlantic relations amid change and continuity

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
North Africa’s transatlantic relations amid change and continuity

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

Report

Aug 29, 2022

North Africa’s transatlantic relations amid change and continuity

By Karim Mezran, Roberto Menotti, Alessia Melcangi, Emadeddin Badi and Alissa Pavia

The purpose of this report is to identify a potential role for Italy and its diplomacy to play in North Africa, in full agreement and collaboration with the United States and the other main European actors.

Italy Libya

In the News

Aug 28, 2022

Badi quoted in Al Jazeera on the rival government clashes in Libya

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Libya

In the News

Aug 27, 2022

Badi quoted in Arab News on the political instability and violence in Libya

By Atlantic Council

Libya Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Aug 27, 2022

Badi quoted in Al Monitor on current instability in Libya

By Atlantic Council

Libya Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Aug 25, 2022

Brown-to-green subsidy swaps in MENA are long overdue. Here’s why.

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Reforms in fossil fuel subsidies can help address many challenges and could result in many benefits for the MENA region.

Energy & Environment Middle East

In the News

Aug 17, 2022

Farrand in Democracy for the Arab World Now: Sixty ‘glorious’ years after independence, can Algeria withstand the challenges ahead?

By Atlantic Council

North Africa Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Aug 11, 2022

Mezran quoted in GIS Report about political turbulence in Libya

By Atlantic Council

Libya Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Aug 10, 2022

The founding head of al-Qaeda is dead. But radicalism continues to thrive in Egypt.

By Shahira Amin

The founding head of al-Qaeda is no longer, but it’s important not to forget that the terrorists that carried out 9/11 were born, raised, and radicalized in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.   

Middle East North Africa

MENASource

Jul 26, 2022

Experts react: Tunisia’s president cemented his power grab with a referendum vote. What does it mean for North Africa? 

By Karim Mezran, Emadeddin Badi, Alia Brahimi, Alessia Melcangi, Alissa Pavia

Atlantic Council experts share their thoughts on the vote and what it means for North Africa writ large.

Middle East North Africa

MENASource

Jul 22, 2022

Tunisia is the sole survivor of the Arab Spring. It was nice while it lasted.

By Tommaso Virgili

On July 25, Tunisians return to the polls for a historical vote: a referendum on whether to repeal the democratically-drafted constitution of 2014 and replace it with a new charter immaculately conceived by President Kais Saied.

Elections Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Alhussain Abdalla

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic

Millennium fellow

Ramzi Abunemreh

Architectural Manager, Consolidated Contractors Company

Global Leadership Center

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

Global Leadership Center

Central Asia Human Rights

Millennium fellow

Kirk Allen

Digital Communications Lead, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Global Leadership Center

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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