Theme

The Middle East and North Africa

The Middle East and North Africa: a region of war, conflict and insecurity that affect the economy and security far beyond its borders.

The Middle East/North Africa refers to an area that is vaguely defined in terms of geography, but shares various cultural features. The core area stretches from Libya to the Persian Gulf, but also Cyprus, Turkey and Iran are often considered part of the region, in addition to the Arab-speaking countries. This is region with a long history of serious conflicts – in Iraq, Syria, and between Israel and the Palestinian territories. The events and upheavals following in the wake of the Arab Spring have also put their mark on the region.

The conflicts and crises in the Middle East and North Africa are central themes in NUPI research on the region. What roles do the emergent big powers play in these conflicts? How do great-power politics influence regional dynamics? These are central question that affect relations elsewhere around the globe, especially as regards energy issues. Developments in individual countries like Egypt, Syria and Iran are also followed closely by NUPI researchers, as are questions of the security situation in the area and how this is affected by actors and conflicts elsewhere in Africa.

Sources: Store Norske Leksikon and NUPI.

News about the middle east and north africa

The frustrating nature of international counter-terrorism partnerships

10 Aug 2018

Fighting terrorism requires wide-ranging cooperation between states. What does such cooperation look like in practice, and does it work?

Defence Security policy Terrorism Africa The Middle East and North Africa
REPORT: Building tax systems in fragile states
13 Apr 2018
- - Frida Kvamme
New report from the TaxCapDev network recommends nine entry points for Norwegian support to taxation in fragile states.

Economic growth Development policy Africa Asia The Middle East and North Africa Norwegian foreign policy
What you need to know about the elections in Iran
18 May 2017
- - Ane Teksum Isbrekken
Iranian presidential and local elections will be held on 19 May. Senior Advisor Joachim Nahem (NUPI) clarifies some important questions.

The Middle East and North Africa Governance Diplomacy Trade Human rights

All news about the middle east and north africa (total 16)

Publications about the middle east and north africa

Publication : ARTIKKEL_POP
Israel og moralsk balansegang
2018
- - Minda Holm
Kritikere av lsraels overgrep mot palestinere blir ofte urettmessig beskyldt for antisemittisme. Samtidig er antisemittisme et økende problem i deler av Europa og USA.
Security policy The Middle East and North Africa Human rights Humanitarian issues
Publication
Teheran. Revolusjon og reaksjon.
2018
- - Kjetil Selvik
(Norwegian only): Temaet for kapitlet er Teherans rolle og betydning i et Midtøsten i endring og konflikt. Jeg ser byen som brennpunkt for tre store slag som står i regionen: kampene over Vestens rolle, folkets makt over politiske avgjørelser og islam som samfunnskontrakt. Jeg viser hvordan kampene spilles...
The Middle East and North Africa Conflict resolution
Publication : ARTIKKEL
Autocratic legitimation in Iran: Ali Khamenei's discourse on regime 'insiders' and 'outsiders'
2018
- - Kjetil Selvik
The article analyses Ali Khamenei’s discourse on insiders and outsiders in the Islamic Republic of Iran, arguing that it shows the leader of an electoral revolutionary regime striving to counter elite fragmentation and growing democratic demands. It studies identity demarcation as a tool of autocratic...
The Middle East and North Africa Governance