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.

2021: A year in the Middle East

MENASource May 27, 2025

Beyond ceasefires: Reimagining stability and engagement in Libya

By Karim Mezran and Roberta Maggi

With all major political institutions mired in crisis, a renewed approach to peace enforcement is pivotal to building stability.
Libya Middle East
2021: A year in the Middle East

MENASource May 14, 2025

Choppy waters: Egypt’s waning patience with President Trump

By Shahira Amin

The US president’s Suez Canal demands signal “a shift in US-Egyptian relations” which experts describe as “at their lowest ebb in decades.”
Middle East North Africa
2021: A year in the Middle East

EnergySource Mar 11, 2025

The Mediterranean must work collectively to harness the power of renewables

By Karim Elgendy

The EU Commission’s recent release of its Clean Industrial Deal underscored regional commitment to decarbonization. To capitalize on this momentum, the Mediterranean must engage in cross-border collaboration to overcome geopolitical tension and limited finance to achieve its renewables goals.
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

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

Libya

2021: A year in the Middle East

MENASource May 16, 2025

The killing of Abdul Ghani al-Kikli may be a turning point for Libya

By Karim Mezran and Dario Cristiani

The killing is considered to be part of a push to eliminate influential militia leaders and consolidate GNU loyalist control over Tripoli.
Libya Middle East
2021: A year in the Middle East

MENASource Apr 30, 2025

From Tripoli to Tehran: Lessons from Libya in US-Iran nuclear talks

By Yaseen Rashed

Twenty-one years later, the nuclear disarmament of Libya serves as a model for the United States in current nuclear negotiations with Iran.
Iran Libya
2021: A year in the Middle East

MENASource Apr 16, 2025

Solving Libya’s economic collapse will require confrontation—not consensus

By Emadeddin Badi

If the status quo continues, the next phase of Libya’s crisis will not be quiet erosion. It will be public revolt.
Africa Economy & Business
Read More on Libya

Content

MENASource

Dec 17, 2021

2021: A year in the Middle East

By Holly Dagres

2021 was a year full of impactful elections, historic anniversaries, and new challenges for the Middle East and North Africa.

Iran Iraq

MENASource

Dec 16, 2021

Libya’s elections are on December 24. But should they be postponed?

By Karim Mezran

While electing representative governments may seem to be the most effective way to achieve greater freedom to many Western democracies, there are reasons to believe that holding elections in Libya now may create more violence after a decade of civil war.

Elections Libya

In the News

Dec 14, 2021

Ashford in Foreign Affairs: “If dictators fear Western interventions, nuclear development is an unfortunate yet likely outcome”

By Atlantic Council

On December 14, Ashford was featured in a Foreign Affairs “Ask the Experts” roundup on the future of nuclear proliferation. “Two factors seem likely to push proliferation in the near term. First, the balance of power is shifting toward a more multipolar world, in which it is likely that smaller states may feel more threatened […]

English Iraq

In the News

Dec 1, 2021

Melcangi in IEMed: Egypt: Between Internal Fragilities and Regional Ambitions

By Atlantic Council

Middle East North Africa

In the News

Nov 30, 2021

Melcangi quoted in The Christan Science Monitor on the viability of Libya’s December elections

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Elections

MENASource

Nov 29, 2021

Startups aren’t just hip. They’re also the key to unlocking youth unemployment in MENA.

By Mahmood Abdulla

The MENA region has a pressing unemployment challenge. While many attempts are underway to address this problem, the solution could lie in its growing startup scene.

Economy & Business Middle East

In the News

Nov 23, 2021

Mezran quoted in The New Arab on Libya’s upcoming presidential elections

By Atlantic Council

Elections Libya

MENASource

Nov 23, 2021

Chairman of Libya’s High National Election Commission: Libya doesn’t have the right environment for a referendum

By Tahani Elmogrbi

Tahani Elmogrbi, a Libya expert, interviewed High National Election Commission Chairman Dr. Emad Al-Sayah for the Atlantic Council’s North Africa Initiative, prior to the shakeup at the Libyan Post Telecommunications and Information Technology Holding Company.

Elections Libya

In the News

Nov 22, 2021

Melcangi quoted in Shorouk News on factors hindering the democratic progress in Libya

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Elections

MENASource

Nov 22, 2021

Tunisia has a new government. How will challenges be addressed?

By Alissa Pavia, Karim Mezran, and Yaseen Rashed

The Atlantic Council’s North Africa Initiative asked several experts a series of questions on Tunisia’s situation. Here is how they answered.

Middle East North Africa
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Experts

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

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

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Giangiacomo Calovini

Nonresident Senior Fellow, North Africa Program

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Europe & Eurasia
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