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

Mezran Quoted by Stars and Stripes on ISIS’s Strategy in Libya

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

Mezran Quoted by Stars and Stripes on ISIS’s Strategy in Libya

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

Mezran Quoted by Stars and Stripes on ISIS’s Strategy in Libya

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

Mar 11, 2016

Mezran Quoted by Stars and Stripes on ISIS’s Strategy in Libya

By Karim Mezran

Read the full article here.

Libya

In the News

Mar 11, 2016

Khan in Economic Research Forum: The Economic Fallout from the Arab Spring

By Mohsin Khan

Read the full article here.

North Africa

In the News

Mar 11, 2016

Hellyer Quoted by Financial Times on Security Crackdowns in Egypt During al Sisi’s Administration

By H. A. Hellyer

Read the full article here.

Middle East North Africa

In the News

Mar 11, 2016

Hellyer Quoted by Reuters on Sisi’s Power in Egypt

By H.A. Hellyer

Read the full article here.

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 10, 2016

Ahmed Abul Gheit Chosen as New Arab League Secretary General

By Margaret Suter

The Arab League announced today that it has chosen former Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit as its new Secretary General. The selection of Abul Gheit is in line with what Ahram Online describes as the league’s traditional practice of electing an Egyptian to serve as the head of the 22-member body. He will succeed […]

North Africa
President Barack Obama, Nov. 18, 2011

NATOSource

Mar 10, 2016

Obama Unhappy with Allies, Upset at Free Riders

By Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic

“Free riders aggravate me,” he [President Barack Obama] told me.

France Libya

In the News

Mar 10, 2016

Hellyer Quoted by The Guardian on EU Foreign Policy Toward Egypt in the Wake of Italian Researcher’s Death

By H. A. Hellyer

Read the full article here.

European Union International Organizations

In the News

Mar 9, 2016

Pham Quoted by Maghreb Arabe Press on Ban Ki-Moon’s Tindouf Refugee Camp Comments

By J. Peter Pham

Read the full article here.

International Organizations North Africa

MENASource

Mar 8, 2016

Is ‘In Support of Egypt’ the New NDP?

By Yussef Auf

Soon after the official results of Egypt’s parliamentary elections were announced, vigorous efforts were underway to form a dominant parliamentary coalition. The coalition, In Support of Egypt, emerged in an effort driven by former army general, Sameh Seif al-Yazal—the head of the electoral list, For the Love of Egypt, which swept all 120 list seats […]

North Africa

In the News

Mar 8, 2016

Hellyer Quoted by Time on the Potential Culprits of the Assassination of Egypt’s Chief Prosecutor

By H.A. Hellyer

Read the full article here.

North Africa
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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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