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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

In the News

Dec 24, 2020

Charai in the National Interest: Why Israel and Morocco are ushering in a new era of peace

By Atlantic Council

During a recent visit to Morocco, Israeli national security advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat did something highly symbolic: he expressed his allegiance to King Mohammed VI in Moroccan Arabic, demonstrating his own ties to the country as well as the greater history between the two nations. This is a historical moment, says Atlantic Council Board Director Ahmed Charai, which will mark a turn towards greater peace between Morocco and Israel and a return to the tolerance reflected in Morocco's history.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Dec 24, 2020

How Moroccans reacted to normalization with Israel

By Zineb Riboua

Moroccans were not surprised to see their country became the fourth Arab nation to normalize relations with Israel—it was the US’s recognition of Western Sahara that astonished them since Morocco’s identity is intertwined with that of Western Sahara.

Middle East North Africa

Arab Spring

Dec 17, 2020

Tunisia’s political landscape a decade after the Jasmine revolution

By Dario Cristiani

As Tunisia approaches the tenth anniversary of its revolution, it faces a pandemic that has induced a historical economic crisis with significant social and political ramifications in the years to come.

Middle East North Africa

In the News

Dec 14, 2020

Khoury quoted in the Washington Post on Israel-Morocco normalization

Israel Middle East

In the News

Dec 13, 2020

Mezran quoted in The Hill on Israel-Morocco normalization

Israel Middle East

Report

Dec 11, 2020

The politics of pandemics: Evolving regime-opposition dynamics in the MENA region

By Frederick Kempe, Giampiero Massolo, Karim Mezran, Annalisa Perteghella, Emadeddin Badi, Yahia Mohamed Lamine Mestek, Hafsa Halawa, Abbas Kadhim, Gawdat Bahgat, Nadereh Chamlou

The politics of pandemics: Evolving regime-opposition dynamics in the MENA region.

Coronavirus Iran

In the News

Dec 11, 2020

Arbit quoted in TRT World on Israel-Morocco normalization

Israel Middle East

In the News

Dec 11, 2020

Lipner quoted in CGTN on Morocco-Israel normalization

Israel Middle East

In the News

Dec 11, 2020

Charai in the National Interest: The blessings of the Moroccan-Israel agreement

By Atlantic Council

With the recent announcement of a normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel, critics have downplayed the importance of this new agreement for Morocco. However, Atlantic Council Board Director Ahmed Charai argues, the agreement was not inevitable, but rather a remarkable breakthrough, presenting lessons on the benefits of a regional diplomatic approach to future negotiators. […]

Israel Middle East

In the News

Nov 30, 2020

Badi quoted in Foreign Policy on UAE’s potential involvement with Russian Wagner Group mercenaries

North Africa Politics & Diplomacy

Experts