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

Report

Jul 30, 2024

Benghazi is a major stumbling block for national reconciliation efforts

By Mary Fitzgerald

In May 2014 Libyan General Khalifa Haftar launched a then-unauthorized military operation from Benghazi, Libya’s second city. The operation, which Haftar named Karama, or Dignity, was centered on but not limited to Benghazi; its declared aim was to eradicate what Haftar and his associates described as terrorism. However, it prompted a swell of armed opposition from those who suspected it was a pretext for the septuagenarian general’s ambition to rule Libya.

Conflict Libya

Report

Jul 30, 2024

Internationalized kleptocracy is on the rise in Libya

By Oliver Windridge

On April 16, 2024, UN Special Representative for Libya Abdoulaye Bathily announced he would resign, citing a “lack of political will and good faith” among Libyan leaders. Few would disagree with his diagnosis that the vested interests of Libyan leaders have created a roadblock for progress.

Conflict Libya

Report

Jul 30, 2024

The UN should take a bolder stance in Libya

By Álvaro de Argüelles

The two main armed conflicts of the last two years—in Gaza and Ukraine—have led to the belief that international politics are ruled again by sheer force and that the United Nations is no longer a relevant actor.

Conflict Libya

In the News

Jul 30, 2024

Pavia joins i24 News to discuss Tunisian elections

By Atlantic Council

Elections Middle East

Report

Jul 30, 2024

Libya’s protracted crisis, ten years of electoral deadlock

By Ben Fishman, Alvaro de Argüelles Lugo , Mary Fitzgerald, Aldo Liga, Chiara Lovotti, Karim Mezran, Alissa Pavia

A decade has passed since the last elections were held in Libya, and the country remains mired in a stalemate and deeply divided.

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Jul 29, 2024

The Mattei Plan is an opportunity for North Africa

By Karim Mezran

North Africa is particularly vulnerable, and the Mattei Plan can positively defuse regional tensions.

Africa Civil Society

MENASource

Jul 17, 2024

How Tunisia’s upcoming presidential elections will erode its democracy

By Alissa Pavia

These elections will likely enable further consolidation of power and undo more than a decade of progress in building democratic institutions.

Elections Human Rights

In the News

Jul 16, 2024

Mezran in Institute for Global Studies: Abdelmajid Tebboune lifts reservations and announces his candidacy for the presidential election

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Elections

MENASource

Jun 25, 2024

A world in crisis is good news for North Africa’s political elites

By Alia Brahimi, Karim Mezran

Europe should not assume that increasing transactional dealings with these elites will produce stability on its southern frontier.

Conflict Libya

MENASource

Jun 6, 2024

Algeria’s Morocco obsession has killed reconciliation prospects

By Samir Bennis

For nearly five decades, Algeria has used the dispute over Western Sahara as a front for its antagonization of Morocco.

Africa Conflict

Experts