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 26, 2019

The Christie’s Affair: The looting and sale of indigenous Egyptian artifacts

By Amal A. Kandeel and Noor Sullivan

This week, Egypt has commemorated the 67th anniversary of the expulsion of King Farouk, the last conduit for British control and exploitation of Egypt, and the establishment of the Egyptian republic. The generations who witnessed and participated in the struggle against imperial Britain are no longer alive. Yet widespread aversion to that earlier period still runs deep among Egyptian citizens and officials. 

North Africa

In the News

Jul 26, 2019

Mezran and Samet in The Diplomat: China Has Quietly Carved out a Foothold in North Africa

China Economy & Business

In the News

Jul 23, 2019

Ben Mahfoudh quoted in AFP on Libyan plane in Tunisia

By Atlantic Council

Crisis Management Libya

New Atlanticist

Jul 11, 2019

Latest Libyan shock should come as no surprise

By Karim Mezran

It is now time for the international community to realize that it is not enough to repeat blindly that in Libya there is no military solution

Arms Control Conflict

In the News

Jul 8, 2019

Ben Mahfoudh quoted in AFP: Tunisia defuses bombs of Libya warplane forced to land

North Africa Terrorism

MENASource

Jul 3, 2019

Challenges for Egypt’s fragile stability

By Alessia Melcangi and Giuseppe Dentice

The death of Mohamed Morsi on June 17, the only president ever instated through democratic elections, arrived as a reckoning in post-revolutionary Egypt.

North Africa

MENASource

Jun 26, 2019

Reactions to Morsi’s death: Truth became a victim

By H. A. Hellyer

On June 17, 2019 Mohamed Morsi, the first democratically elected president in Egypt, died in court. Joyce Karam, a journalist based in Washington DC, tweets it out. His death released a myriad of emotions—and then the truth became a victim. Yet again.

North Africa

In the News

Jun 19, 2019

El-Gamal Joins TRT Word to Discuss What killed Mohamed Morsi

By Jasmine M. El-Gamal

Watch full discussion here.

North Africa

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2019

Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elected president, dies

By David A. Wemer

“While Morsi’s death is a single event, its long-term ramifications will be numerous and far-reaching,” said Jasmine M. El-Gamal, a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

North Africa

MENASource

Jun 12, 2019

Tunisia 2019’s elections: Is it time to negotiate or to rehabilitate democracy?

By Haykel Ben Mahfoudh

In October 2019, an estimated 6.7 million Tunisians will head to the polls to elect their next parliament and the following month elect a new president of the republic. Yet, the gains are significant in terms of consolidating the democratic process that started in 2011. However, five years after the adoption of a progressive constitution in 2014, the democratic transformation of the country reveals that it is still in its early stages.

North Africa

Experts