Ten years after the Arab Spring, North Africa is living an incredibly delicate phase in its political, social, and economic life. The international community, policymakers and other relevant actors have failed to address the political and socio-economic demands which fueled demonstrations in most North African countries in 2011. In addition, challenges such as intra-regional rivalries, the lack of regional integration and unresolved conflicts remain unaddressed, intersecting with hybrid and transnational security threats such as cross-border crime, illicit trafficking and terrorism. In this context, the Covid-19 pandemic and its twofold economic and social impact have further exacerbated structural issues, triggering frustration and distrust among North African citizens over institutions, ruling elites and political parties. Against this backdrop, where do North Africans stand on political and economic reforms? What are the most likely implications of the current political, socio-economic and security dynamics in the region? What geopolitical trends will most likely impact North Africa over the following years?

Opening Remarks

Giampiero Massolo, President, ISPI
Frederick Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council
Mariangela Zappia, Ambassador of Italy to the United States

Keynote Speaker

Karen Sasahara, Deputy Assistant Secretary for North Africa, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, US Department of State

Panel Discussion

Youssef Cherif, Director, Columbia Global Centers, Tunis
Intissar Fakir, Director, Program on North Africa and the Sahel, Middle East Institute
Kristina Kausch, Senior Fellow, The German Marshall Fund of the United States
Elham Saudi, Director, Lawyers for Justice in Libya
Yahia Zoubir, Professor of International Studies & International Management, Director of Research in Geopolitics, KEDGE Business School, Marseille

Moderated by

Karim Mezran, Senior Fellow, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, Atlantic Council

In cooperation with

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