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
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NUPI replaces NRK P2's 'Ekko' this week
7 Dec 2020NUPI has produced ten hours of high quality radio about foreign policy and international relations. The programs will air on NRK P2 during week 50, Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 11.00. Tune in!
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The PREVEX project officially launched in Brussels
7 Feb 2020Why are some communities more likely to experience violent extremism than others?
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Drivers of violent extremism: NUPI to coordinate EU-funded project
19 Dec 2019PREVEX will shed light on how the various drivers of violent extremism operate.
Publications about The Middle East and North Africa
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Publication
: Academic article
Governance, fragility and insurgency in the Sahel: a hybrid order in the making
Once a region that rarely featured in debates about global security, the Sahel has become increasingly topical as it confronts the international community with intertwined challenges related to climate variability, poverty, food insecurity, population displacement, transnational crime, contested statehood... -
Publication
: Popular scientific article
“Irregular” Migration and Divergent Understandings of Security in the Sahel
On 23 September 2020, the EU launched its new Pact on Migration and Asylum. In a refreshingly blunt press-release accompanying the Pact one could read: “The current system no longer works. And for the past five years, the EU has not been able to fix it”. The stated aim of the Pact is a fairer sharing... -
Publication
: Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Fixers and friends: local and international researchers
While we live in a highly unequal world where your position and place will determine what you have access to. However, based on years of fieldwork in the Sahel, this chapter turns this question around, exploring if it is possible to make inequaity work for mutual benefit. The answer is a modestly yes,...
Research projects about The Middle East and North Africa
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Foto: NTB Scanpix
Research projectHOW TO PREVENT VIOLENT EXTREMISM? PREVEX will contribute to more effective policies that prevents violent extremism through strengthening societal resilience.
Preventing Violent Extremism in the Balkans and the MENA: Strengthening Resilience in Enabling Environments (PREVEX)
2020 - 2023 (Ongoing)The overarching objective of PREVEX is to put forward more fine-tuned and effective approaches to preventing violent extremism.
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Research project
Migration and Development: Sharing knowledge between Norway and Poland (MiDeShare)
2019 - 2021 (Ongoing)The aim of this project is to improve our understanding of the relationship between migration and development in order to suggest more effective policies for addressing root causes of migration in weak...
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Foto: NTB Scanpix
Research project
Fragile states and violent entrepreneurs: conflict, climate, refugees (FRAGVENT)
2018 - 2021 (Ongoing)What forms of authority underpin, enable, and extend violent entrepreneurs in fragile states, and how do the combined effects of fragile states, conflict, and climate impact this?