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

Sep 19, 2019

Libya: Locked or moving forward?

By Karim Mezran

One of the unfortunate consequences of Libya’s crisis is that the main players with decision-making power in Libya’s conflict are the regional and international powers involved in the crisis.

Libya Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Sep 12, 2019

Factbox: Tunisia’s precarious 2019 presidential election

By Adam Aluzri and Christiana Haynes

Voting booths open for the Tunisian presidential election this Sunday, September 15, in one of the world’s youngest democracies. Tunisians will be selecting their second president from among twenty-six candidates, including two women, with hopes of a new vision for addressing pressing issues about the economy, security, and political reform.

Democratic Transitions Elections

In the News

Sep 10, 2019

Ben Mahfoudh quoted in The New Arab: Women set to play a decisive role in Tunisia’s elections after Essebsi’s death

Elections North Africa

In the News

Sep 7, 2019

Ben Mahfoudh quoted in The Arab Weekly: Tunisia’s presidential candidates on the offensive ahead of vote

Elections North Africa

MENASource

Sep 5, 2019

Is the early presidential election a political turning point for Tunisia?

By Haykel Ben Mahfoudh

The results of the next Tunisian presidential election may change the political spectrum for the subsequent legislative elections too. During the last eights years, the political paranoia has been the rule, leading public opinion to discredit politicians and political parties.

Middle East North Africa

In the News

Sep 3, 2019

Ben Mahfoudh quoted in TRTWorld: A diverse line-up of contestants gear up for Tunisia’s presidential race

Elections North Africa

MENASource

Aug 22, 2019

Tunisia could help enforce Libya’s arms embargo

By Keith Jones

In 2020, when Tunisia begins its two-year term as non-permanent member of the Security Council, the country will have the biggest opportunity to influence international affairs since becoming a democracy in 2011. In response to the appointment, Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui declared “Tunisia will be the voice of Africa and the Arab world…Trying to […]

Libya

MENASource

Aug 22, 2019

How the EU can save Tunisia

By Iyad Yousef

The Tunisian presidential and parliamentary elections in 2014 marked the beginning of a new democratic era. In the aftermath of the first wave of the Arab Spring, Tunisia remains the only country to have successfully transitioned from an authoritarian to a democratic government.

North Africa

In the News

Aug 2, 2019

Hudson quoted in Middle East Eye on a Canadian lobbyist’s Libyan connection

Conflict Libya

In the News

Jul 26, 2019

Mezran quoted in the Diplomat on China in North Africa

By Atlantic Council

North Africa Trade and tariffs

Experts