Embeddedness of the MENA in Economic Globalization Processes
Working Papers
MENA countries’ integration in processes of economic globalization has trailed behind many emerging markets in Asia, but also Latin America. This applies especially to the “bunker states” and “bully praetorian states” of the Arab republics and Iran, less so to Lebanon and the “globalizing monarchies” of the GCC, Morocco, and Jordan and even less to [...]
Morocco’s African Foreign Policy
Future Notes
Morocco’s African foreign policy is not new, although it features some new characteristics, such as an emphasis on the economy, its reach far beyond traditional francophone African circles, as well as unprecedented number of royal visits across Africa. There are also two non-material aspects to Morocco’s new approach: it comes with a South-South twist and [...]
Material Choke Points in the MENA Region
Policy Briefs
The MENARA Project studies the geopolitical order in the making in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), identifies the driving forces behind it, sheds light on bottom-up dynamics and assesses the implications of these processes on the EU and its policies towards the region. This document summarises the findings of the MENARA research on [...]
Libya: Moving Beyond the Transitional Mood
Future Notes
The Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) signed in December 2015 resulted in some relative stabilization and improvement of the security situation of the country, especially in Tripoli. Yet, it has not brought the political and institutional divisions to an end. The diplomatic focus put on revising the LPA during 2017 has shed light on the vested [...]
The Transmutation of Jihadi Organizations in the Sahel and the Regional Security Architecture
Future Notes
Since 2017, the jihadi scene in the Sahel has witnessed major changes with the merger of all the groups that were affiliated with Al-Qaeda, leading to the creation of a new and powerful one: the Group in Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), under the leadership of Iyad Ag Ghali. In parallel, and since 2015, [...]
Iraqi Kurdistan and Beyond: The EU’s Stakes’
Future Notes
In 2017, Iraq saw events that dramatically changed its political and societal reality. Not only the territorial defeat of the so-called Islamic State but also the Iraqi Kurdistan referendum and the retaking of the disputed areas by Iraqi forces loyal to Baghdad had important implications for the Middle East as a whole and also affected [...]
The Riddle of the Sphinx: Why President Sisi Fears the Election
Future Notes
The riddle posed by President Sisi’s words and behaviour is if his regime is performing as well as he claims, why is he so politically insecure? Although threats of terrorism and widespread anti-regime violence appear to be receding, the political crackdown, including upon potential candidates for the upcoming presidential election, has intensified. This reflects Sisi’s [...]
Hybridization of Domestic Order-Making in the Contemporary MENA Region
Methodology and Concept Papers
The domestic political orders in the MENA countries are going through a period of crisis and restructuring. Since mass protests spread from Tunisia and Egypt to other countries in the region in 2011 a number of worrying trends have affected the forms and functions of states, regimes, contentious actors and collective identities. Conceptualizing these trends [...]
Religion and Politics. Religious Diversity, Political Fragmentation and Geopolitical Tensions in the MENA Region
Working Papers
Motivated by the need to inform the enduring and unresolved debates about religion and politics in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, this report focuses on the relation between social change and religious diversity and the challenges this poses for the state–religion relationship. It also draws attention to the pluralization of the religious [...]
Regional Order from the Outside In: External Intervention, Regional Actors, Conflicts and Agenda in the MENA Region
Methodology and Concept Papers
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been beset by a series of external interventions, regional crises and local conflicts – most recently precipitated by the Arab uprisings – that have led to major uncertainties and changes in the existing order. The aim of this paper – which launches Work Package 5 within [...]
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