Publications
Explore an archive of Hafed Al-Ghwell’s publications, ranging from academic papers to opinion pieces and columns. The archive spans Hafed’s contributions to the fields of Middle Eastern and North African studies, particularly in the fields of security, migration, energy, sustainability, and the nuanced dynamics of US and EU foreign policies in relation to the region.
Somaliland and its case for statehood
Whispers of Somaliland's potential recognition as an independent state are gaining traction, with indications that the incoming US administration may support the move. This development could reshape the geopolitics of the Horn of Africa region marked…
Solving the Arab world’s approaching youthquake
The Arab world faces a critical socioeconomic challenge as its predominantly youthful population — two-thirds under 30 — rapidly approaches adulthood. By 2030, the ability of Arab nations to empower their youth will determine the region's…
New EU commission must change tack on migration
Migration between Europe and Africa has become a critical challenge of the 21st century, driven by historical ties, socioeconomic disparities, conflict, and environmental crises.
How the West prospers as the rest drown
The Global South faces a growing sovereign debt crisis fueled by high interest rates in wealthier Western economies, as central banks in the US and Europe combat inflation.
How Libya turned gridlock and polarization into a way of life
Libya has descended into a state of “dysfunctionism,” where political gridlock, kleptocracy, and perpetual crisis serve as the framework of governance rather than symptoms of collapse. Since 2011, competing factions have entrenched…
Can Tunisia’s youth resist the resurgence of authoritarianism?
A decade after the Arab Spring, Tunisia’s youth face an authoritarian resurgence, as democratic aspirations wane amid economic hardship and centralized power. The frustration fueling protests highlights a disillusionment with Tunisia's political…
Decision time for the EU’s strategy on migration
The EU’s ambitious plans to curb irregular migration from North Africa face mounting challenges as key partners Egypt and Tunisia hesitate to deepen cooperation on border controls and migrant returns.
Alarm bells are sounding over next great ‘debt-quake’
A looming public debt crisis, exacerbated by post-pandemic recovery, geopolitical tensions, and the need for climate adaptation, threatens to reshape the global financial landscape.
How modern conflict weaponizes food
Conflict-driven hunger has escalated into a calculated and devastating weapon, particularly in regions such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Middle East.
How modern conflict weaponizes food
Conflict-driven hunger has escalated into a brutal and calculated strategy of warfare, particularly in regions such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Middle East. In Gaza, over 2.1 million Palestinians face severe food insecurity…
China’s growing security footprint in Africa
China's strategy in Africa has evolved significantly from primarily economic engagement to a more pronounced focus on security collaboration. This shift was formalized during the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation..
Another October, another mandate: Libya remains adrift
As the UN Security Council renews the mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya, a pervasive sense of déjà vu lingers, underscoring the council's failure to address the entrenched political and security challenges in Libya.
Myopic hypocrisy on migration betrays Europe’s values
Europe's controversial border externalization policies have created a self-inflicted crisis, with severe human rights violations surfacing along North Africa's shores and within the EU’s borders.
Africa’s oil exporters struggle as cost of climate change soars
Africa’s major oil-producing countries, despite high global oil prices, are facing a decline in production, leading to economic challenges and stalling transitions to low-emission economies.
Algeria after President Tebboune’s overwhelming election victory
In an election marked by apathy and disillusionment, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune secured a sweeping 94% of the vote in Algeria, despite a turnout of less than 25% of eligible voters. This stark contrast between voter participation...
Africa’s debt fatigue could lead to global catastrophe
Africa faces an impending debt crisis that could trigger widespread global economic repercussions. The continent’s debt has surged rapidly since the early 2010s, exacerbated by global commodity price shocks and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Europe and the post-America Middle East
With President Joe Biden’s exit from the 2024 race, the spotlight has returned to the future of US global leadership. However, as the US continues to shift its focus to the Indo-Pacific, Europe must take a more prominent role in addressing the instability in the Middle East and North Africa.
Divided Libya faces new threat
Libya’s political fragility is intensifying as rival factions shift from direct warfare to covert battles over key state institutions, particularly the central bank and National Oil Corporation.
What would a second term for Kais Saied mean for Tunisia?
As Tunisia approaches its 2024 presidential election, incumbent Kais Saied's reelection seems highly probable, signaling a continuation and deepening of the authoritarian model that has characterized his first term.
Sudan needs peace now
The civil war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has created an escalating humanitarian crisis that threatens to destabilize the entire Horn of Africa. With nearly 10 million people displaced and over 25 million facing acute hunger...