North Africa

Policy Analysis on North Africa

Neglect for Human Rights Helped Produce the Crisis in Tunisia

Rampant corruption and economic instability facilitated Saied’s takeover, but Western governments need to recognize that these ills stem from deeper human rights problems such as unchecked police brutality, erosion of freedoms, and lack of respect for due process.

Mar 17, 2023

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Sabina Henneberg

Articles & Testimony

Four Possible Scenarios for Tunisia’s Political Crisis

As waves of protest rock the country following mass arrests of political opponents, what will happen next?

Mar 14, 2023

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Karim Mezran
Sabina Henneberg

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Saied’s Tunisia Is Politicizing Counterterrorism Again

His government is using CT tools to go after the political opposition, but the ongoing lull in jihadist activity may give Washington some breathing room to press him on these issues.

Mar 9, 2023

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

Changing Egyptian-Turkish Dynamics May Create Opportunities for Libya

Turkey’s tragic earthquake and Egypt’s economic crisis may lead both governments to ease their conflicts over Libya.

Feb 21, 2023

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Ben Fishman

Fikra Forum

Morocco, Israel, and the Future of the Negev Forum

Morocco is preparing to host the upcoming Negev Forum summit, an opportunity for the Kingdom to expand economic ties and bridge regional divides.

Feb 16, 2023

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Mohamed Chtatou

Fikra Forum

Takeaways from William Burns’ Surprise Visit to Libya

Burns met with both Dbeibeh and Haftar, likely to discuss key U.S. concerns such as the Lockerbie case, energy security, and terrorism.

Feb 13, 2023

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Mohamed Eljarh

Fikra Forum

The Energy Geopolitics of North Africa

The longstanding regional rivalry between Morocco and Algeria has taken on new meaning as the two countries vie for energy partnerships in Europe.

Feb 9, 2023

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Nashat Shawamreh

Brief Analysis

Egypt’s Economic Freefall Provides an Opening for U.S. Assistance—and Leverage

Given the tall task of managing public dissent and meeting IMF reform requirements without angering his military base, President Sisi may be more willing to shift his problematic stances on human rights and foreign policy.

Jan 26, 2023

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Ben Fishman

French President Macron and Moroccan King Mohammed VI in Rabat - source: Reuters

Fikra Forum

France’s Balancing Act: Mending Relations and Ending Moroccan Visa Restrictions

A recently announced visa decision and a presidential visit to Rabat indicate France’s eagerness to regain its diplomatic position in the region.

Jan 25, 2023

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Frances McDonough
Sabina Henneberg

Video

Brief Analysis

Civil Society in Tunisia: Resetting Western Policy Expectations

Three experts discuss the relevance and focus of Western efforts to nurture reform in post-revolutionary Tunisia amid recent democratic backsliding by President Saied.

Jan 25, 2023

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Sabina Henneberg
Amy Hawthorne
Jean-Louis Romanet Perroux

Tunisian demonstrators outside the general union building (UGTT), June 2022

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Civil Society in Tunisia:

Resetting Expectations

Reduced U.S. support need not mean abandoning Tunisians or democratization, and can center on directing limited funds more intentionally.

Jan 23, 2023

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Sabina Henneberg

Crown Prince Muhammad and President Xi walking in Riyadh.

Brief Analysis

Assessing Xi Jinping’s Middle East Trip

His discussions on nuclear proliferation, energy markets, defense cooperation, and other issues offered numerous contrasts with President Biden’s summer meetings in Saudi Arabia—as well as some unexpected criticism of Iran.

Dec 22, 2022

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Grant Rumley
Carol Silber
Eric Feely
Sarah Cahn
Sude Akgundogdu
Lauren von Thaden
Faris Almaari

U.S. and Algerian flags at the U.S. Embassy in Algiers - source: U.S. government

Brief Analysis

Bolstering U.S.-Algeria Relations Amid the Africa Leaders Summit

At a time when Algerian military cooperation with Russia is growing and African counterterrorism challenges are proliferating, Washington cannot afford to take the relationship for granted.

Dec 15, 2022

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Sabina Henneberg

Biden Summit for Democracy 2021, Tunisia media protesters, Egyptian democracy workshop

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Reexamining U.S. Aid to the Middle East:

Ideas for Advancing Both Governance and Democracy

Massive U.S. investment has failed to improve outcomes since the Arab Spring uprisings. A more targeted, sensitive approach could yield better results and promote regional stability.

Dec 14, 2022

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Ben Fishman

◆ Reform, Protest, Change

A supporter of Tunisia's Islamist Ennahda Party protests against the Tunisian president's 2022 coup - source: Reuters

Fikra Forum

Tunisia: Caught Between the IMF and International Isolation

In the absence of strong international support, Tunisians have been left to face the worsening political and economic crises on their own

Dec 12, 2022

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Maher Latif

Brief Analysis

Tunisians Pessimistic Ahead of Parliamentary Election

Socioeconomic unrest is growing in many parts of the country, and the series of elections planned this month and next year hold little prospect of bolstering public confidence in an increasingly autocratic government.

Dec 2, 2022

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Sabina Henneberg

President Joe Biden waves from the steps of Air Force One - source: White House photo

Brief Analysis

Biden Heads to Egypt Amid Economic Protests and Libyan Gridlock

Although climate issues will by definition headline the latest COP summit, Egypt’s human rights record, simmering protest movement, and questionable policies in neighboring Libya will provide plenty of additional fodder for Biden’s discussions with Sisi.

Nov 10, 2022

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David Schenker
Ben Fishman

A cargo ship carrying Ukrainian grain passes through the Bosphorus - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

MENA Countries Stand to Lose the Most If the Ukraine Grain Initiative Falters

Russia will continue using the Black Sea corridors as leverage, so Western countries and their partners should prepare alternative routes and other assistance as counter-leverage.

Nov 8, 2022

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Anna Borshchevskaya
Louis Dugit-Gros
Sabina Henneberg

Map of U.S. Army operations in Operation Torch, 1942 - source: U.S. Army

Articles & Testimony

From Torch to Tunis to El Alamein: Events 80 Years Ago Made the Modern Middle East

The second week of November 1942 has much to tell us about the region’s geopolitical centrality, its enduring political currents, and its role in the future of the Jewish people—not to mention the evolution of American foreign policy.

Nov 6, 2022

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Robert Satloff

US Army soldiers meet local civilians in Morocco during Operation Torch in November 1942 - source: U.S. Army

Video

Brief Analysis

From Torch to Tunis to El Alamein: The Most Important Forgotten Week in Modern Middle East History

Watch an expert conversation on the pivotal week in WWII whose events continue to shape the modern Middle East.

November 7, 2022

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Mehnaz Afridi
Aomar Boum
Martin Cüppers
Haim Saadoun

Supported by the

Program on Arab Politics

The Washington Institute's Program on Arab Politics focuses on social, political, and economic developments in the Arab world, with an emphasis on the Arab countries of the Levant.

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