France’s strongman strategy in the Sahel
The French response to internal threats in North African countries has been to reinforce authoritarian rule to keep the peace. But it could inflame miltancy in the long run, especially in Chad and Libya.
North Africa
Protests and the ailing president: Algeria’s political crisis
Algerians have taken to the streets to voice their discontent with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's plan to run for a fifth term in office. Could this be the beginning of more fundamental reform?
Tunisia – between instability and renewal
Strikes and elections are raising the tension in Tunisian society and politics. The socio-economic divisions that led to the 2011 revolution still afflict the country and are causing increased public disaffection
The death of a jihadist: A chance to curb Mali’s conflict
Last month, French forces in Mali killed one of the Sahel’s most prominent jihadist leaders, Amadou Koufa – his death is a brief opportunity for Mali’s government and the international community
New currents in Libya’s stagnant waters
The most important development in Libya’s recent history may have just taken place. And it was not a high-level summit, but a new expression of popular opinion on Libya’s future
The promise of Palermo: Uniting the strands of Europe’s Libya policy
On 12 and 13 November, Italy is hosting a conference on Libyan stabilisation in Palermo which hopes to fix the floundering international mission in the country
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
Present at the Destruction
At the UN General Assembly last week, it was clear to most that the post-war multilateral system is now an artifact of a bygone era. The new world order that is currently emerging will be defined less by shared principles, and more by the whims of individual leaders and governments
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 Libya delusion: violence erupts again
Militias have entered Tripoli, shifting the balance of power inside Libya and hampering the advance towards new elections. European powers need to stop squabbling and grasp the meaning of this new state of affairs