North Africa

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.

Featured commentary & analysis

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

MENASource
May 7, 2026

Egypt’s bet on land monetization

By
Amir Asmar

There’s little doubt that Egypt’s land development efforts will have measurable economic benefits, but they are unlikely, by themselves, to put the country’s economy on a solid footing.

North & West Africa

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

MENASource
Apr 9, 2026

Egypt’s foreign minister: One cannot secure waterways ‘while ignoring the political order of the states’ along the shore

By
Maisoon H. Kafafy

Maisoon H. Kafafy reached out to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty for his thoughts on this turbulent moment and the instability in the Horn of Africa.

East Africa
Ethiopia

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

MENASource
Mar 31, 2026

Can France and Algeria get their relationship back on track?

By
Karim Mezran

There are signs of a thaw between Algeria and France; however, there appears to be no real political strategy for redefining the relationship.

France
North Africa

Programs

Perspectives on North Africa

The North Africa Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East analyzes the strategic, political, and economic importance of the region for the United States and its allies. Since the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, North Africa has undergone political and economic transformations that have impacted stability and security in the region. With its geographic crossroad between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, North Africa continues to be an integral partner in addressing shared interests and concerns.

Learn more about the Middle East 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.

EXPLORE THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL’S MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMS

Content

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

MENASource

Apr 8, 2016

The GNA Goes to Tripoli

By Mohamed Eljarh

The Presidential Council of Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) arrived to the capital Tripoli on March 30 aboard a navy vessel after failing to fly into Tripoli twice. Since its arrival in the capital Tripoli, the Council has managed to consolidate its position as the internationally backed executive branch of government, but the […]

Libya

MENASource

Apr 8, 2016

Egyptian Social Democratic Party Elections Highlight a Deep Rift

By Khaled Dawoud

Amid serious political divisions, the Egyptian Social Democratic Party (ESDP) elected a new president in early April. The party still faces many challenges, with personal rivalries running deep among ESDP leaders.

North Africa

In the News

Apr 8, 2016

Eljarh Op-Ed on Libyan Presidential Council Featured in the Digital Journal

By Mohamed Eljarh

Read the full article here.

Libya

In the News

Apr 7, 2016

Slavin in Al-Monitor: Private Collectors Fuel Demand for Looted Mideast Antiquities

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

North Africa Syria
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Experts

Fellow

Alhussain Abdalla

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic

Millennium fellow

Ramzi Abunemreh

Architectural Manager, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Asia Economy & Business

Fellow

Perrihan Al-Riffai

Nonresident Senior Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Kirk Allen

Digital Communications Lead, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Millennium Leadership Program

Middle East NATO Partnerships

Fellow

Shahira Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Civil Society
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