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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 5, 2013

Overcoming Political Polarization in Libya

By Karim Mezran

Recent developments in Libyan politics demonstrate a remarkable regression in terms of both institution-building and security. Unfortunately, the latest political polarization has the potential to make the situation deteriorate further.

Libya

MENASource

Feb 28, 2013

The Politics of Libya’s Political Isolation Law

By Eric Knecht

Libya’s political isolation law is flawed at best and leaves significant room for improvement. The current draft lists 36 categories of individuals deemed unfit for political office given their ties to the previous regime. Category number 14, for example, includes anyone who “assumed the position of administrative manager, ambassador, or general secretary for [embassies] abroad,” […]

Libya

New Atlanticist

Feb 27, 2013

The Hart-Dworkin Debate, and Egyptian Legal Reform

By Pejman Yousefzadeh

Ronald Dworkin, one of the most consequential legal philosophers in history, passed away earlier this month.

North Africa Political Reform

MENASource

Feb 27, 2013

Laarayedh’s Tunisia Will Continue the Transition to Democracy

By Duncan Pickard

Ali Laarayedh, the prime minister–designate of Tunisia, will enter a more partisan political climate than did his predecessor in December 2011. Hamadi Jebali, the outgoing prime minister, was known to be conciliatory and an avoider of conflict. He took office in the afterglow of democratic elections, in a coalition between Ennahda (his own moderate Islamic […]

North Africa

New Atlanticist

Feb 25, 2013

The United States Should Contain Threats and Embrace Dignity in the Middle East

By Michele Dunne and Barry Pavel

President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have chosen wisely to visit the Middle East early in Mr. Obama’s second term, but when they go, will they have anything new to say? U.S. interests are at significant risk as the region continues to undergo profound changes and instability, and Arab and European allies […]

Middle East North Africa

New Atlanticist

Feb 22, 2013

Tunisia and the Clash Within Civilizations

By Rajan Menon

Earlier this month, Tunisian opposition leader Chokri Belaid was shot dead outside his home. Belaid’s death has shaken Tunisia, but it also illuminates larger trends in the post-revolution Arab world.

Elections North Africa

MENASource

Feb 21, 2013

Preparing for Egypt’s Parliamentary Elections: A Guide

By Nancy Messieh

Last updated: 2/21/2013  With Parliamentary elections slated for April, and President Mohamed Morsi adamantly stating that they will go on as expected, a few of Egypt’s political parties have begun to prepare for the ballot boxes.  With no date set as of yet, Morsi has until February 25 to announce the date, as per the […]

North Africa

New Atlanticist

Feb 15, 2013

Libya Must Be Stabilized

By Jason Pack and Karim Mezran

From Cairo on the Nile to Tunis on the Mediterranean, a political vacuum has descended across North Africa. The Arab Spring ushered in new freedoms, but it also weakened existing state structures and unleashed a cultural and political free-for-all, favorable to mobilization, assassinations and propagation of extremist ideology. The region’s newly elected governments are rapidly […]

Libya

MENASource

Feb 12, 2013

At Last, Public Participation in Constitution-Making in Tunisia

By Duncan Pickard

The deplorable and tragic assassination of Chokri Belaid last week has emboldened the lines of battle in Tunisian politics. Rallies and counter-rallies have fallen along partisan divisions, between the largely secular opponents and Islamist supporters of the Ennahda-led government. Some secularists accuse Ennahda of orchestrating the assassination despite unequivocal condemnations by Ennahda leaders, and some […]

North Africa

MENASource

Feb 12, 2013

Dispatch from Tripoli: Tension in Anticipation of February 17

By Karim Mezran

Libyans are anxiously anticipating what might happen this week, on February 17, the second anniversary of the Libyan uprising; the streets are tense and the government is preparing for the worst. Libyan officials are worried that citizens upset with the poor performance of the government, Qaddafi elements seeking to destabilize the country, and Cyrenaican federalists […]

Libya

Experts