
Italy’s Mediterranean Belt and Road
Taking a page from Beijing, Rome is positioning itself as the center of trade, energy, and transportation in Southern Europe and beyond.

The Mediterranean Red Prawn War Signals Italy’s Lost Leverage in Libya
Italian fishermen are being kidnapped off the coast of Libya—and Rome is too caught up in EU migration politics to help.

Mali Needs a Marshall Plan, Not a Military Regime
American, French, and West African leaders must pressure the army to stand down and form an interim government, before a power vacuum and violent extremism threaten the entire region.

Could Libya Be Partitioned?
Strongman Khalifa Haftar has lost the initiative, and it looks as if the only option left for his international backers is to divide the country.

IMF Loans Will Further Entrench Corruption in Egypt
Recently disbursed IMF funding will only help the Sisi regime and entrench its rule.

The Coronavirus Could Heal Libya
The pandemic might prompt the kind of cooperation needed to end the country’s civil war, after years of fighting and foreign intervention failed.

The Libyan Civil War Is About to Get Worse
None of the parties involved is serious about reaching a political settlement, meaning the conflict could kill many more this year.

Russia’s Role in the Libyan Civil War Gives It Leverage Over Europe
Russia has played all sides in the conflict to get a seat at the negotiating table. Now it wants an end to sanctions.

2019: A Year of Global Protest
Even as right-wing forces took hold in many places around the world, grassroots democracy proved itself alive and well.

Algeria’s Election Won’t Save Its Democracy
In the presidential vote this week, citizens looking for change will have few good options to pick from.

After 8 Months on the Streets, Protesters in Algeria Aren’t Giving Up
Citizens have been promised new elections. But they are looking for more fundamental change.

Europe’s Future Will Be Decided in North Africa
The United States should stop treating the region as secondary to the rest of the Middle East.
China’s Global Investments Are Declining Everywhere Except for One Region
Three charts highlight Beijing’s growing interest in the Middle East and North Africa.

Trump’s Support for Haftar Won’t Help Libya
The United States should be working to help negotiate peace rather than fanning the flames of another failed war.

Who Controls Libya’s Airports Controls Libya
The battle for control over critical infrastructure shows who might win the civil war.