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.

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.

Libya

Content

MENASource

Jul 20, 2021

The meeting of the Forum for Libya in Geneva fails to produce any practical results

By Karim Mezran and Nicola Pedde

The outcome of the meeting seems to reveal an insurmountable set of differences between the Libyan delegates, which is certainly not limited to the legal framework needed to organize the elections.

Libya North Africa

MENASource

Jul 15, 2021

Second Berlin Conference on Libya: Where to from here?

By Karim Mezran and Hafed Al-Ghwell

Libya’s political system prior to the elections is preferred but not imperative. What is essential is giving the Libyans a strong voice on the outcome of their political system.

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Jun 10, 2021

Parliamentary elections won’t rescue Algeria from its legitimacy problem

By Andrew Farrand

Arriving on the heels of two years of overt popular contestation, Algeria’s June 12 parliamentary elections will not suffice to resolve the country’s deep political impasse.

Elections Middle East

MENASource

Jun 4, 2021

Libya’s fragile ceasefire: A lost opportunity?

By Wolfgang Pusztai

On April 16, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2570, approving arrangements for a ceasefire monitoring mechanism and the deployment of UN monitors. But will a sixty-person team be sufficient to prevent the renewed outbreak of hostilities in this deeply split country?

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Jun 3, 2021

Algeria’s parliamentary elections: A bumpy road ahead

By Abdelkader Abderrahmane

While the coronavirus pandemic put on hold the Hirak movement, its resumption in February this year indicates that many Algerians have not renounced challenging the Algerian government.

Elections Middle East

MENASource

Jun 2, 2021

Egypt has a water problem—and no, it’s not only the GERD

By Yaniv Cohen

The Nile River, a once seemingly unending water resource serving Egypt as a dependable and mighty lifeline for millennia, now barely reaches the Mediterranean Sea.

Energy & Environment Middle East

MENASource

Jun 1, 2021

Egypt recalibrated its strategy in Libya because of Turkey

By Alessia Melcangi

It is evident that the strategic pivots of Egyptian leadership in Libya are adapting and evolving in concordance with developments on the ground and keeping in mind wider regional implications—particularly its relations with Turkey.

Libya Middle East

In the News

May 31, 2021

Badi quoted in Middle East Eye on the complications headed into the run-up of Libya’s election

By Atlantic Council

Elections Libya

In the News

May 31, 2021

Mezran quoted in Formiche on Dabaiba’s role

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Italian

In the News

May 24, 2021

Badi in War on the Rocks: “To advance its own interests, Turkey should now help stabilize Libya”

By Atlantic Council

Libya Middle East

Experts