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North Africa

Commentary

Syria is Trending Toward the Libya Model

If the Syrian opposition clearly asks for American help, if the rest of the Arab world supports such a military intervention, and if America's European allies prove ready to join in—and indeed lead—such an effort, the United States should contribute those military assets which only it can provide, writes James Dobbins.

Feb 13, 2012
Commentary

The Year of the Arab Spring

The Arab Spring demonstrated that leaderless revolutions are difficult to repress or co-opt. Unfortunately, it is also true that leaderless revolts find it difficult to make transition to authority, writes Charles Ries.

Dec 20, 2011
Report

The impact of information and communication technologies in the Middle East and North Africa

This report explores the impact of information and communication technologies in the Middle East and North Africa region. It provides a series of analyses and inputs to the World Bank that intended to help frame their thinking about ICT use in MENA.

Nov 30, 2011
Announcement

RAND Has Not Studied an Alternative Homeland for Coptic Christians in Egypt

Some Arabic-language news outlets have reported that the RAND Corporation has published a study regarding an "alternative homeland" for Coptic Christians in Egypt. RAND has undertaken no such study.

Oct 26, 2011
Commentary

An Open Door in Libya

The days and weeks after a victory like this are a golden hour that set in motion either a virtuous cycle of increasing security and economic growth, or a downward spiral into insecurity, factionalism and economic chaos, write Christopher S. Chivvis and Frederic Wehrey.

Oct 20, 2011
Periodical

Beyond the Shadow of 9/11

The 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks warrants a thoughtful review of America's progress and future strategy. In this RAND Review cover story, RAND experts offer perspectives on Afghan-led solutions, ways to counter al Qaeda, air passenger security, and compensation for those affected by terrorism.

Sep 1, 2011
Commentary

Commanding Democracy in Egypt: The Military's Attempt to Manage the Future

The SCAF's attempts to curtail dissent and the democratic process have fueled doubts about its true intentions. Will the military fulfill its promise to support democracy? Or will it seek to replace Mubarak's rule with its own or that of a friendly autocrat? write Jeffrey Martini and Julie Taylor.

Aug 25, 2011
Commentary

Libyan Nation Building After Qaddafi

If Libya is to have a chance of replacing Qaddafi with something better, the United States, its allies, and the rest of the international community will need to pivot very quickly from the rather straightforward requirements of war fighting to taking seriously the complex and demanding tasks of peace building, write James Dobbins and Frederic Wehrey.

Aug 23, 2011
Commentary

How Might bin Laden's Demise Affect Business?

Given how markets are responding thus far, Osama Bin Laden's death is likely to have a modestly positive and buoyant effect on equity markets, writes Charles Wolf, Jr.

May 25, 2011
Commentary

In Obama Speech, Will There Be Aid for Arab Spring Nations?

Assisting Arab democratic transitions will not eliminate religious extremism. But successful transitions would directly challenge the jihadist brands that promote attacks on America, writes Julie Taylor.

May 19, 2011
Report

How Will Demographic and Economic Trends in the Arab World Affect U.S. Policy?

An assessment of likely demographic and economic challenges in the Arab world through 2020—such as population growth rates and continued global oil production—provides a better-informed platform on which to build U.S. defense planning and policy.

May 11, 2011
Commentary

Arab Spring, not Osama bin Laden's Fall, Will Determine Middle East's Fate

The unanswered question is just what will endure in the Arab world: comparatively peaceful demonstrations leading to regime change, or brutal tactics by authoritarian regimes to crush dissent and cling to power, writes John Parachini.

May 9, 2011
Commentary

Is the Arab World Changing for the Better?

If some measure of democracy does result, the elected governments likely will reflect the popular antipathy that the "Arab street" has for both the United States and Israel, writes David Aaron.

May 3, 2011
Commentary

A Recipe for Military Disaster: Mixing Idealism and Realism

In many cases, idealism and realism conflict, as evidenced by U.S. military interventions over the past four decades, writes Harold Brown.

Apr 30, 2011
Commentary

Expect Regime Change in Libya, Yemen

The countries in a possible "second wave" of Arab revolutions have dim prospects for consolidated democracies. Other than tribes, Libya essentially has no civil society, and it has a long-isolated educated class. Yemen has civil society organizations but fewer well-educated individuals, writes Julie Taylor.

Apr 25, 2011
Commentary

Time to Arm Libyan Rebels: Here's How

The long-term objective of a train-and-equip program for the Libyan revolutionary government would be to create a professional military force in a post-Qaddafi Libya that could support democratic institutions free of extremist elements, writes Angel Rabasa.

Apr 13, 2011
Commentary

The Allies in Libya: A New Paradigm for Intervention?

What has been happening in North Africa this year, in what seems to be the leading edge of a great wind of change sweeping the Arab world, will require the Europeans (along with the U.S. and others) to be deeply and durably engaged there — economically, politically and in humanitarian terms, writes Robert E. Hunter.

Apr 10, 2011
Commentary

Obama's Calculated Gamble on Libya Strategy

Pushing the European allies, especially Britain and France, to take more responsibility in managing crises would reduce the costs and burdens on the United States while providing an incentive for the Europeans to take defense more seriously, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.

Apr 4, 2011
Commentary

Arm the Libyan Rebels to Fight Gadhafi

What the United States did in Bosnia might hold the key for an effective response to the crisis in Libya, writes Angel Rabasa.

Mar 24, 2011
Commentary

What Intervention Looks Like

The question, then, is whether stopping the fighting—which could also require forcibly removing Qaddafi—is worth the price of deep military engagement and responsibility for Libya's postwar future, writes Robert E. Hunter.

Mar 16, 2011

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RAND Topic:
North Africa

Topic Synonyms:
Northern Africa

Research conducted by

Center for Middle East Public Policy