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

Apr 19, 2016

What Egypt’s Red Sea Island Protests Mean

By H.A. Hellyer

Thousands of protesters gathered in Cairo and elsewhere on April 15 to demonstrate against the transfer of two islands from Egyptian control to Saudi Arabia. They were the largest non-Islamist demonstrations since the forced removal of former president, Mohamed Morsi, in 2013 by the military. Then, as Defense Minister, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was proclaimed as […]

North Africa

In the News

Apr 14, 2016

Gold Quoted by al Ahram on the Ceding of Two Egyptian Islands to Saudi Arabia and Saudi-Iran-US Relations

By Zack Gold

Read the full article here.

Iran North Africa

MENASource

Apr 14, 2016

President Obama and GCC Leaders: Let’s Talk about Jobs

By Richard LeBaron

When President Barack Obama meets his Gulf Cooperation counterparts in Riyadh on April 21, he will yet again reassure them about the US commitment to Gulf security and once again they will work through a litany of regional issues, focusing on Syria, Yemen, and Iran.  There is little expectation of startling results, and given the […]

International Organizations North Africa

MENASource

Apr 13, 2016

Rebalancing International Forces to Safely Carry out Their Mission in Egypt’s Sinai

By Zack Gold

Amid deteriorating security in North Sinai, a Pentagon spokesperson acknowledged on April 12 that the Obama administration is reviewing options to minimize exposure of international peacekeeping forces to a growing threat in the peninsula. Despite unprecedented security relations between Israel and Egypt, both insist on the importance of the Multinational Forces and Observers (MFO); and […]

Israel North Africa

In the News

Apr 13, 2016

Hellyer Quoted by The Guardian on Egypt’s Investigation of Giulio Regeni’s Murder

By H. A. Hellyer

Read the full article here.

North Africa

In the News

Apr 13, 2016

Hellyer Quoted by Reuters on Relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt

By H. A. Hellyer

Read the full article here.

North Africa Saudi Arabia

In the News

Apr 13, 2016

Mezran in Huffington Post Italy: How Italy Can Play a Role on Libya’s Future

By Karim Mezran

Read the full article here.

Italy Libya

MENASource

Apr 12, 2016

He Offered Us Bread In Exchange For Freedom: A Documentary on Nasser

By MENASource

Nasser’s Republic: The Making of Modern Egypt begins with footage of Gamal Abdel Nasser visiting the Aswan High Dam for the first time. The cheering crowds seen in the footage are a common sight in the documentary about Abdel Nasser, a polarizing figure in Egypt’s history. As Galal Amin puts it, “Many people would attribute […]

North Africa

MENASource

Apr 12, 2016

Q&A: The Egypt-Saudi Island Deal

By Margaret Suter

During King Salman’s recent visit to Cairo, Saudi Arabia and Egypt signed several investment agreements and cooperative deals, including a 60 billion Saudi Riyal investment fund. Among the more notable elements of the bilateral agreements are a proposed bridge that would link Saudi Arabia and Egypt through the Red Sea, and Egypt’s decision to cede […]

North Africa Saudi Arabia

In the News

Apr 11, 2016

Slavin in Al-Monitor: Treasury Secretary says US Financial System Will Stay Closed to Iran

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Iran North Africa

Experts