North Africa

Three Benghazi Myths

By R. Nicholas Burns

The Benghazi controversy’s return to Washington’s raging partisan wars continues to portray our political culture at its worst.

Egypt’s Growing Judicial Activism Stymies Democratic Consolidation

On May 13, the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East held an event to release a new issue brief, “Egypt’s Litigious Transition: Judicial Intervention and the Muddied Road to Democracy.” Director of the Rafik Hariri Center Michele Dunne moderated a discussion with the author Mahmoud Hamad, who is assistant professor at Drake […]

Egypt’s litigious transition: Judicial intervention and the muddied road to democracy

By Mahmoud Hamad

The Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East is pleased to release a new issue brief, Egypt’s Litigious Transition: Judicial Intervention and the Muddied Road to Democracy. Mahmoud Hamad, assistant professor of politics and international relations at Drake University, evaluates to the evolving role of Egypt’s judiciary in the country’s transition since the ouster of […]

The Questionable Campaign Behind Libya’s Political Isolation Law

By Eric Knecht

The recent passage of a political isolation law in Libya’s General National Congress (GNC), under pressure from armed militants, represents the most significant development during its tenure and threatens to derail the government of Prime Minister Ali Zidan. 

Roundtable on Egypt’s Changing Political Scene

The Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East hosted a roundtable discussion with former MP Dr. Amr Hamzawy and Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies Director Mr. Bahey el Din Hassan on the emerging politics and the unsettling human rights environment in Egypt.

Libya’s Constitutional Process: Moving Forward?

By Karim Mezran and Duncan Pickard

The General National Congress (GNC) on April 10 finally issued a constitutional amendment declaring that Libya’s constitution-drafting committee would be elected directly, rather than appointed by the GNC. While this puts to rest a longstanding debate that has held up much of the assembly’s—and the country’s—other work, the GNC has now officially set the stage […]