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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A cancer at the heart of Libya’s reemergence

Despite four months of high-level discussions, Libya's parliamentary chambers failed to agree on a constitutional framework for national elections, demonstrating yet another setback in the country's tumultuous post-2011 era. The UN's repeated reliance on unproductive negotiations…

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Libya – a tale of two governments, again

In recent months, Libya has witnessed a resurgence of familiar tensions and power struggles between rival governments — reminiscent of past conflicts. The Tripoli-based Government of National Unity faces a serious challenge from the Government of National Stability in Sirte…

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A difficult decade ahead for the UN

The UN faces its greatest test yet amid global crises, with doubts arising about its efficacy in fulfilling its role as a force for global good. Despite well-defined mandates, interventions in hotspots like Libya and the Sahel…

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Libya on the cusp of another decade of chaos

Libya's attempt at holding presidential elections amid political turmoil and institutional deficiencies resulted in a failed endeavor. Despite a decade of instability since Muammar Qaddafi's removal, efforts for democratization failed due to disputes over candidates…

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The anti-terror coalition is asleep at the wheel

The resurgence of Daesh (ISIS) as a formidable global security threat is demonstrated by a sophisticated attack on the Ghweyran prison in northeast Syria. Despite assertions of Daesh's decline, gaps in global response and power vacuums on the ground allow the group to thrive.

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Arab world must learn to live with COVID-19

Governments globally are struggling to adapt to the evolving COVID-19 landscape, especially with the emergence of new variants and persistent challenges. Vaccine inequality and hesitancy exacerbate the situation, threatening the success of ‘zero COVID’ policies.

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Libya – adrift in a fragmented worldOutlet

Global crises and great power rivalry reflect a broader interregnum in geopolitics, with Libya serving as a microcosm of this chaos. The failure of the democratic transition in Libya has allowed malign interests to exploit the country's vulnerabilities…

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