Aid with reform: How the EU-Egypt deal can succeed
The EU should release funding to Cairo only if it undertakes following meaningful economic reforms
Egypt
21 Feb
The externalization of Europe’s borders: the only solution?
Migration in the Mediterranean has been a crisis factor for Europe for decades. To shed light on the issue, the discussion will revolve around ECFR’s policy brief edited by Lorena Stella Martini and Tarek Megerisi, which examines the case study of the Central Mediterranean route to analyse European externalization policies, focusing primarily on migration to Italy
Hedge politics: Turkey’s search for balance in the Middle East
Ankara is trying to normalise its relationships with Middle Eastern governments. The EU needs to adjust to the new Turkey that is emerging from this process
13 Dec
Part of the problem? A better European approach to human rights in the Middle East and North Africa
How can Europeans more effectively advance their human rights agenda as part of, and while maintaining, their broader relationships with regional states?
Part of the problem: A better European approach to human rights in the Middle East and North Africa
European states face accusations of neglecting the matter of human rights in their southern neighbourhood, and even of being complicit. Yet they are failing to maximise the influence they could bring to bear
Burning ambition: Egypt’s return to regional leadership and how Europe should respond
The Egyptian regime has become somewhat more open to discussing matters such as human rights than Western capitals sometimes assume
A return to Africa: Why North African states are looking south
North African countries, each for their own reasons, are increasingly turning their attention towards sub-Saharan Africa
Upholding values abroad: Europe’s balancing act in Egypt
Italy and the EU should not assume that a concerted campaign to release George Zaki is doomed to failure
Germany’s quiet leadership on the Libyan war
Although Germany’s mediation role in the Libyan conflict has received relatively little attention so far, this might change if its initiative leads to a peace conference – or, alternatively, a collapse of the political process
Sisi’s illusion of stability
The EU should end its acquiescence to Sisi’s policies
Publications
Hedge politics: Turkey’s search for balance in the Middle East
Ankara is trying to normalise its relationships with Middle Eastern governments. The EU needs to adjust to the new Turkey that is emerging from this process
Burning ambition: Egypt’s return to regional leadership and how Europe should respond
The Egyptian regime has become somewhat more open to discussing matters such as human rights than Western capitals sometimes assume
A return to Africa: Why North African states are looking south
North African countries, each for their own reasons, are increasingly turning their attention towards sub-Saharan Africa
Alone in the desert? How France can lead Europe in the Middle East
France sees the MENA region as a state for foreign policy and great power politics and an opportunity to shape global politics and punch above its weight
Egypt on the edge: how Europe can avoid another crisis in Egypt
The EU should do away with its narrow approach of working with Egypt only on areas of mutual interest
Five years on: A new European agenda for North Africa
Five years after the Arab uprisings in North Africa, the EU needs to avoid an “either-or” mentality on stability versus progress
Egypt’s unsustainable crackdown
Why the EU needs to develop a new policy towards Egypt
Egypt, the IMF, and European economic assistance
How Europe can help Egypt
The struggle for pluralism after the North African revolutions
What next for Egypt, Tunisia and Libya?
A Power Audit of EU – North Africa relations
North Africa should be a top strategic priority for Europe
Articles
Aid with reform: How the EU-Egypt deal can succeed
The EU should release funding to Cairo only if it undertakes following meaningful economic reforms
Upholding values abroad: Europe’s balancing act in Egypt
Italy and the EU should not assume that a concerted campaign to release George Zaki is doomed to failure
Germany’s quiet leadership on the Libyan war
Although Germany’s mediation role in the Libyan conflict has received relatively little attention so far, this might change if its initiative leads to a peace conference – or, alternatively, a collapse of the political process
Sisi’s illusion of stability
The EU should end its acquiescence to Sisi’s policies
Freeze, confiscate, restore? Swiss ideas for future EU sanctions
Sanctions for ‘misappropriation’ have proved their worth in forging ties with new leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Ukraine. But it is time to strengthen them
More for less? Europe’s new wave of ‘migration deals’
North African governments may feel they have the EU over a barrel on migration flows. But Europe must set tough conditions on any new aid it gives to them
Egypt’s judicial theatre of injustice
As European governments look to Egypt as a partner, the country's human rights record continues to suffer with an escalating use of executions
The end is Nile: International cooperation on Egypt’s water crisis
Ethiopia is building Africa's largest dam, crucial to its energy security and economic growth. It is also causing issues with neighbours on the Nile, particularly Egypt, which could suffer from absolute water scarcity once the project is complete.
Europe and the Egyptian election: Do not congratulate
Sisi is eager for international endorsement. European leaders should withhold it
Egypt’s counterterrorism strategy: The missing element
Egypt’s government is not currently a constructive partner for the West in fighting violent extremism
Specials
Part of the problem: A better European approach to human rights in the Middle East and North Africa
European states face accusations of neglecting the matter of human rights in their southern neighbourhood, and even of being complicit. Yet they are failing to maximise the influence they could bring to bear
Podcasts
The role of France in the Middle East
Is France alone in the desert? ECFR experts Julien Barnes-Dacey and Manuel Lafont Rapnouil discuss how France can lead Europe in the Middle East
Sinai: Sisi’s War on Terror
Mohannad Sabry, Egyptian journalist and Sinai researcher, explains how Egypt's Sinai Peninsula has gradually transitioned from being an area of instability and local insurgencies…
Rebooting EU foreign policy part 2 – Spiros Economides
In the second of two podcasts, Spiros Economides of the London School of Economics argues that the EU needs to think strategically about how…
Rebooting EU foreign policy part 1 – Nick Witney
Nick Witney, co-author of the ECFR publication 'Rebooting EU foreign policy', explains the need for a rethink of how the EU deals with the…
US policy in the Middle East part 3 – Ambassador Charles Freeman
In the third of three podcasts on US foreign policy in the Middle East, Ambassador Charles Freeman argues that Obama's foreign policy lacks a…
US policy in the Middle East part 2 – Professor Juan Cole
In the second of three podcasts looking at US foreign policy in the Middle East, we hear from Professor Juan Cole, who explains why…
US policy in the Middle East part 1 – Jeremy Shapiro
In the first of three podcasts on US policy in the Middle East, Jeremy Shapiro explains why foreign policy is in thrall to US…
The challenges facing Sisi’s Egypt
Now that Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has been sworn in as Egypt's president, what are the challenges ahead, and what can the West do to…
Egypt’s military & Europe’s response
Issandr el Amrani, Florence Gaub, and Anthony Dworkin take a close look at the situation in Egypt, the motivation and interests of the military,…
ECFR’s World in 30 minutes: The Arab spring – three years on
Mark Leonard hosts a discussion with Daniel Levy, Anthony Dworkin, and Julien Barnes-Dacey on the Arab Spring and current events in the Middle East…
Events
21 Feb
The externalization of Europe’s borders: the only solution?
Migration in the Mediterranean has been a crisis factor for Europe for decades. To shed light on the issue, the discussion will revolve around ECFR’s policy brief edited by Lorena Stella Martini and Tarek Megerisi, which examines the case study of the Central Mediterranean route to analyse European externalization policies, focusing primarily on migration to Italy
13 Dec
Part of the problem? A better European approach to human rights in the Middle East and North Africa
How can Europeans more effectively advance their human rights agenda as part of, and while maintaining, their broader relationships with regional states?
1 Oct
Russia and the Middle East
Nous avons le plaisir de vous inviter à un évènement en partenariat avec l’Institut d’études de sécurité de l’Union européenne (EUISS) avec Nicu Popescu, Stanislav Secrieru, Julien Barnes-Dacey et Timofey Borisov
23 Mar
The Mediterranean: A New European Agenda For North Africa
The future of relations between Europe and North Africa
23 Mar
Mediterraneo: Una Nuova Agenda Europea per il Nord Africa
Il futuro delle relazioni Europa-Nord Africa
23 Feb
Berlin Foreign Policy Club: EU-Nordafrika Beziehungen
The refugee crisis has altered Europe's and especially Germany's view on North Africa and triggered a renewed interest in cooperation. As part of the Berlin Foreign Policy Club series, our expert Anthony Dworkin presented and discussed his new book “Five years on: A new European agenda for North Africa” with our guests.
20 Jan
Sinai: Sisi’s War on Terror
What is Sisi doing to quash the threat posed by ISIS in Egypt and the wider region?
12 Nov
Black Coffee Morning “What does the Maghreb think about Europe? And why?”
Understanding oneself means to look at oneself from the view of others. The Maghreb region is a very crucial neighbourhood for the EU, yet little is known about their point of view. The region faces political, economical and security crises with instable governments, decreasing oil prices and terrorist formations. Europe has to engage more with these countries since it is clearly mutually beneficial. Furthermore, it would alter their view on Europe towards a more positive one. For that, the European Union has to encounter MENA countries on a level playing field.
18 Jun
16. Außenpolitische Jahrestagung der Heinrich-Böll Stiftung in Kooperation mit dem ECFR
Am 18. Und 19. Juni 2015 fand in der Heinrich-Böll Stiftung die 16. Außenpolitische Jahrestagung in Partnerschaft mit dem ECFR statt.
5 May
Troubled Post-election Israel
What impact on the peace process, the region, and Israel’s international relations?”
In the media
The growing importance of Egypt does signify a return of Egypt’s key role in Europe’s regional vision and engagement
Doing these reforms in a meaningful way would require the Egyptian government to make a big change in the economic policies it has followed so far
Now leaders like al-Sisi and Saied feel more confident that they will be given leeway to cement their power and use financial support to do the bare minimum to sustain people in these countries
Kelly Petillo comments on the EU’s strategy to support North African governments to curb migration
It is really not a lack of unity, it is above all a lack of political will within the member countries
Hugh Lovatt on the possible coordinating between the EU and Egypt on the mediations between Hamas and Israel