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.

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Growing challenges expose the limitations of the UN

The upcoming UN General Assembly session highlights the organization's crucial role amid global crises, despite its perceived marginality in recent years. While discussions are expected to revolve around climate action, COVID-19, human rights, and humanitarian issues…

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Why Sudan is not out of the woods yet

In the midst of the protests that led to Omar Bashir's fall, Sudan emerged as a beacon of hope in a region grappling with democratization challenges. Led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, the civilian-military transitional government has…

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Second Berlin Conference on Libya: Where to from here?

The Second Berlin Conference on Libya, held on June 23, 2021, aimed to build upon the foundation laid by the initial summit in 2019. However, the recent conference fell short of expectations due to a lack of robust political will and an effective roadmap for Libya's future.

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Libya back in a quagmire

The appointment of Libya's interim Government of National Unity (GNU) raised hopes for progress, but the failure of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) to agree on election terms threatens this optimism. Divisions within the LPDF…

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Middle East: Please heed the signs

Global food prices have surged significantly, raising concerns about potential inflation, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region where many staples are consumed. Even before the pandemic, Arab countries were grappling with…

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We’re not out the virus minefield yet

The dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic are evolving amidst the acceleration of vaccination efforts. While the proposal to waive vaccine patents by the Biden administration offers a ray of hope, formidable challenges persist, as evidenced by the situations in India and Brazil.

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Birth pains of a new order in the Middle East

The top global threats have shifted to focus on climate change and geopolitical competition, eclipsing concerns about terrorism, as per US intelligence officials. The Middle East confronts a myriad of challenges, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating power struggles.

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The hard work in Libya has only just begun

Libya's new interim Government of National Unity (GNU) has made swift progress in uniting critical state institutions within a short timeframe, instilling some confidence in its plans leading up to the December 24 elections. However, challenges persist…

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New fault lines that define the Middle East

The Middle East has experienced a shift in power dynamics away from domination by superpowers to regional capitals pursuing dominance and economic interests. Conflict now revolves around realpolitik strategies, with regional actors shaping the landscape.

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The race to Mars, and why it matters

Recent Mars missions have broadened their focus beyond the planet's geology and potential habitability, now targeting what lies above its surface. The UAE's Hope probe and China's Tianwen-1 mission are prime examples.

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