Middle East & North Africa

Led by

Esti Rubins

The Working Group: Middle East & North Africa creates monthly briefings on key foreign and security policy issues in the region. The MENA region, with over 580 million people, is critical due to its vast oil reserves and geopolitical significance. Areas of focus include ongoing conflicts, political transitions, and economic diversification efforts. Our briefings offer in-depth analyses essential for understanding the dynamic and complex nature of MENA’s global impact.

Articles

October Brief: The Turkish-Iraqi Security Agreement: Enhancing Bilateral Relations Despite Regional Complications

The 2024 Turkish-Iraqi security agreement boosts military collaboration, challenges Iran's influence, and raises concerns about Turkey's sway in Iraq.

September Brief: Balancing Borders: The EU’s Divergent Migration Deals with Lebanon and Egypt

The EU's migration deals focus on economic aid and border management, but face challenges due to regional instability.

August Brief: Hezbollah – Why a Ground Offensive against Lebanon’s Shadow Rulers is a Risky Undertaking

Experts speak of the most powerful non-state actor worldwide: Hezbollah in Lebanon will pose major challenges to the Israel Defense Forces.

July Brief: Tunisia's Geopolitical Leverage: EU's Cooperation Amid Democratic Erosion

Tunisia's democracy falters under Saied's rule, yet the EU continues financial support to tackle its own migration issues. As the biggest African migrant hub, Saied, thus, has a strong bargaining position against the EU.

May Brief: Impact on Egypt’s Economy since 07 October 2023

The Hamas-Israel war has affected Egypt’s vulnerable economy in various ways. Quantifying the exact impact remains challenging due to the complex and multifaceted nature of its influence on Egypt and the region.