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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 30, 2017

Hellyer in The National: Egypt Church Attack Requires a Broad Response From an Empowered Civil Society

By H.A. Hellyer

Read the full article here

North Africa

MENASource

Dec 6, 2017

Freeze assets to halt the war in Libya

By Nedal M. Swehli

In yet another attempt to resolve Libya’s war, on September 20, the United Nations presented a new Action Plan for Libya, supposedly to form a legitimate, functioning, and unified government. But this Action Plan will also fall short of what is needed to end this crisis because it misses a key point: it focuses on […]

Libya

MENASource

Nov 29, 2017

The Re-emergence of Jund al-Islam: A new chapter in the conflict between al-Qaeda and ISIS

By Ahmed Salem

After a more than four-year absence, Jund al-Islam (JAI) has returned to the forefront in Sinai, marking a new chapter in the fierce conflict between al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (Daesh, ISIL, ISIS). The group published an audio recording in which it took credit for an attack targeting ISIS affiliates in Sinai known as Wilayat […]

North Africa Terrorism

MENASource

Nov 27, 2017

Out of the streets and into the boats: Tunisia’s irregular migration surge

By Matt Herbert and Max Gallien

Normally, the beaches of southern Tunisia are quiet in November. It is the start of the lean months, when few tourists arrive and the jobs which depend on them vanish. This year is different. Tunisia’s beaches have a new customer: Tunisians trying to go to Europe Between October 1st and November 8th, more Tunisians took […]

Migration North Africa

MENASource

Nov 8, 2017

The Gulf crisis threatens Tunisia’s stability

By Youssef Cherif

Qatar is one of Tunisia’s most important trade partners. It has invested, loaned, or assisted Tunisia with more than 1.5 billion USD since 2011, and has directed its media, think-tanks, and PR empire to acclaim the country’s transition to democracy. Thousands of Tunisians work in Qatar, and the current Gulf crisis has allowed a number […]

Democratic Transitions North Africa

In the News

Nov 7, 2017

Hellyer Quoted in Reuters on Attack on Police in Egypt’s Western Desert

By H.A. Hellyer

Read the full article here.

North Africa

MENASource

Nov 6, 2017

Can Libya put the cart before the horse?

By Karim Mezran

In the wake of the Security Council’s renewal of the United Nations (UN) mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in September, a sequel to UN-led mediation efforts directed by a new Special Representative of the Secretary General is underway in Libya. It once again hopes to reach an agreement among the main actors of the Libyan crisis […]

Libya

MENASource

Nov 3, 2017

Libya’s warring parties play a dangerous game working with Madkhali Salafists

By Ahmed Salah Ali

The current fight against the Islamic State (ISIS, IS, Daesh) and Salafi jihadis in Libya should not distract from other Salafi groups in Benghazi and Tripoli that are spreading and enforcing anti-democractic and illiberal views and practices. The Madkhali Salafist-inspired groups are slowly gaining ground via both the al-Tawhid Brigades in the east under Field […]

Libya

MENASource

Oct 31, 2017

Tunisia, the West, and the ‘Arab Spring’

By Oussama Romdhani

Although Tunisia is still seen favorably in Washington, the US is unlikely to be its savior. No matter how much Washington reflects on Tunisia as a successful democratic transition, the mood in the US capital will not lead to large amounts of aid to magically fix Tunisia’s security and economic woes. Only by looking to […]

Democratic Transitions Libya

MENASource

Oct 26, 2017

Tunisia’s democracy: Between economic reform and public engagement

By Elissa Miller and Andrea Taylor

Tunisia’s transition to democracy is in a difficult spot: the public is frustrated with the political and economic situation, but the political elite are shying away from needed public engagement. Two recent events stand out: the 2018 draft budget law put forward this month and the recent postponement of the local elections to next year. […]

Democratic Transitions Macroeconomics

Experts