All Policy Analysis by Ben Fishman

The Trump administration’s budget cuts, intended to make America “safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” could wind up harming U.S. interests in the region while strengthening Russian and Chinese media warfare.

Now that Libya has become an outright kleptocracy—with billions missing from the public treasury and national politics frozen—the Trump administration may need to throw a sanctions “grenade” into the mix.

Cutting aid programs is not inherently wrong—but making those cuts before assessing their specific impact on regional allies and American lives could be disastrous for U.S. policy in the Middle East.

Since receiving $57 billion earlier this year, Cairo has enacted several reforms and named a new economic team, but President Sisi must allow for additional improvements.

Previous civil war combatants are now fighting a financial and resource war over the country’s vast wealth, but Washington and UNSMIL can still exert more leverage than other players if they so choose.

Israeli and Lebanese experts join two former U.S. officials to discuss what each party was thinking before, during, and after this weekend’s exchange of strikes—and whether war in the north has become inevitable regardless of near-term de-escalation.

A political and literal fight over Libya's top financial institution could enable Russia to enjoy the spoils of war without having to fight one.

Despite missing many past opportunities for low-cost diplomatic action, Washington can still do much to counter Russia’s deepening presence in Libya and Africa.

The U.S. ambassador to Tunisia joins three Washington Institute experts to discuss the evolution of great power competition in North Africa.

Washington can demonstrate its decisive edge in areas like climate change remediation and economic development, while highlighting the many dangers posed by partnership with Russia and China.

Administrators should do more to help students critically assess the barrage of disinformation they are subjected to outside the classroom—while also punishing those who clearly violate the institution’s policies and core values.

Cairo’s main lender and top Gulf donor have come to the rescue once again, offering major loans, investments, and Central Bank transfers that could halt the country’s latest slide despite short-term consumer pain.

Because the government ceded too much authority to local militias and tribal intermediaries, no one can dismantle them without risking their lives.

Despite the canceled visit to Amman, President Biden should keep King Abdullah front and center in any efforts to ease humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Derna’s future and Libya’s broader political fate will be determined by the race for recovery and the battle of narratives over who is responsible for the tragedy.

The scandal surrounding a surprise meeting between their foreign ministers has cratered any hope of upgraded ties with Israel—though it could cause a political shake-up in Libya.

An entrenched military junta could jeopardize America’s primary CT partner in West Africa, create ripple effects for security beyond the Sahel, and give Russia’s Wagner Group a new opening on the continent.

Washington may be tempted to defer Tunisia’s problems to Europe, but a new MOU risks perpetuating the country’s economic crisis and worsening the plight of migrants.

Russia’s domestic military crisis could hold significant consequences for its regional operations, from heightening the risk of clashes with U.S. forces in Syria to putting a public face on its destabilizing activities in Libya.

Oil is flowing and warring factions are not actively warring, but this illusion of stability can disappear at any time unless further steps are taken to produce a legitimate government.