North Africa

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.

Featured commentary & analysis

Mezran and Cristiani in The National Interest: Trouble in Tripoli: Why Europe must respond to the ambitions of Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar

MENASource May 7, 2026

Egypt’s bet on land monetization

By Amir Asmar

There’s little doubt that Egypt’s land development efforts will have measurable economic benefits, but they are unlikely, by themselves, to put the country’s economy on a solid footing.
Egypt North Africa
Mezran and Cristiani in The National Interest: Trouble in Tripoli: Why Europe must respond to the ambitions of Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar

MENASource Apr 9, 2026

Egypt’s foreign minister: One cannot secure waterways ‘while ignoring the political order of the states’ along the shore

By Maisoon H. Kafafy

Maisoon H. Kafafy reached out to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty for his thoughts on this turbulent moment and the instability in the Horn of Africa.
East Africa Egypt
Mezran and Cristiani in The National Interest: Trouble in Tripoli: Why Europe must respond to the ambitions of Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar

MENASource Mar 31, 2026

Can France and Algeria get their relationship back on track?

By Karim Mezran

There are signs of a thaw between Algeria and France; however, there appears to be no real political strategy for redefining the relationship.
France North Africa

Programs

Perspectives on North Africa

The North Africa Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East analyzes the strategic, political, and economic importance of the region for the United States and its allies. Since the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, North Africa has undergone political and economic transformations that have impacted stability and security in the region. With its geographic crossroad between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, North Africa continues to be an integral partner in addressing shared interests and concerns.

Learn more about the Middle East 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

Content

In the News

Feb 23, 2020

Mezran and Cristiani in The National Interest: Trouble in Tripoli: Why Europe must respond to the ambitions of Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar

Every time there is a European conference on Libya, the dominant feeling is the same: the Europeans seem to be more interested in the process—the mere act of bringing stakeholders together to talk—than the outcome. It is less clear whether this talk is actually conducive to any solution that can stop the spiral of violence […]

Libya

In the News

Feb 1, 2020

Ellinas quoted in Qantara.de (German) on gas production in the Eastern Mediterranean

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jan 31, 2020

Bruton quoted in VOA on status of US-brokered GERD talks

By Atlantic Council

Africa Energy & Environment

In the News

Jan 21, 2020

Charai in The National Interest: How to keep Libya from collapsing into chaos

By Atlantic Council

Libya Middle East

In the News

Jan 19, 2020

Ellinas in Cyprus Mail: Time for new initiatives in growing East Med energy crisis

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Libya

New Atlanticist

Jan 17, 2020

Berlin conference: The end of the game?

By Karim Mezran

The upcoming conference could result in the acceptance by all of Haftar’s future role in Libya and the legitimization of his attack against Tripoli. The Berlin conference could be a trap for the GNA, the courageous fighters of Tripoli, and the population of western Libya.

Conflict Libya

In the News

Jan 13, 2020

Mezran and Burchfield quoted in VOA on Libyan political settlement

By Atlantic Council

Libya North Africa

In the News

Jan 10, 2020

Bryza quoted in Anadolu Agency on Turkey’s interests in Syria, Libya and Eastern Mediterranean

By Atlantic Council

Libya Middle East

Report

Jan 9, 2020

Energy sector diversification: Meeting demographic challenges in the MENA region

By Bina Hussein

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is projected to experience significant demographic growth by 2050, growth which will have to be met with commensurate economic expansion and job opportunities, or the region will risk an increase in political instability. To meet this challenge, countries in the region must diversify their economies beyond the energy sector and expand their energy sector beyond hydrocarbons. What are the key trends that MENA countries will have to contend with, what is already being done, and what further steps should be taken?

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

MENASource

Jan 8, 2020

The context of today’s Libyan crisis and what to watch for

By Karim Mezran, Emily Burchfield

On April 4, 2019, troops led by Khalifa Haftar, a former general of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi who now contests the authority of the UN-sponsored Government of National Accord (GNA) seated in Tripoli, launched an attack against the Libyan capital. The real reasons for staging such an attack on that specific day are still unclear.

Libya Politics & Diplomacy
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Experts

Fellow

Andrew G. Farrand

Nonresident Senior Fellow, North Africa Program

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Millennium fellow

Alexandra Hubbard-Gourlay

Senior Director, Laurel Strategies

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Media

Expert

Maisoon H. Kafafy

Senior Advisor, Middle East Programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Simin Kargar

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cybersecurity Disinformation
Josh Kirshner is a nonresident senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

Fellow

Josh Kirshner

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Arms Control Defense Policy
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