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.
The rise of the Global South and what it means for the North
The Global South Summit in India on August 17 reflects the rising demand for reshaping the international order by historically marginalized nations. With a GDP growth of 4.7% compared to the Global North's 2.1%, the Global South's economic clout…
For North Africa, crisis is actually good
North African political elites are leveraging global crises to strengthen their power. Algeria has gained prominence due to the European energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, increasing gas exports and adopting assertive foreign policies.
Fresh approach needed if Daesh is to be defeated
Ten years after declaring itself a caliphate, Daesh remains a persistent threat despite major territorial losses. At its peak, it controlled vast lands and conducted global attacks. Though weakened, Daesh has adapted to asymmetric warfare…
The unspoken horrors of migration
Thousands of migrants face increased danger instead of safety as they journey to Europe seeking refuge. Misused EU funds intended to curb irregular migration support punitive detentions and expulsions…
Reform, not the ballot box, is the cure for Tunisia’s woes
As Tunisia heads for a pivotal election in October, the country's fragile democracy and citizens' realities hang in the balance after three tumultuous years under President Kais Saied.
Mounting costs of failing to address climate change
The reality of climate change has become undeniable as life-threatening heat waves test human survival limits globally. Record-breaking temperatures and devastating heat indexes, alongside a critical rise in global temperatures, highlight the urgent need for action.
For aid workers in South Sudan, no good deed goes unpunished
Escalating violence against humanitarian workers, particularly local staff, is a growing yet underreported crisis in conflict-prone regions. In 2023, the death toll for aid workers nearly doubled, with almost 300 fatalities…
Europe decided, what next for North Africa?
The recent European parliamentary elections may signal shifts in EU policies toward North Africa, crucial for managing migration, energy security, counterterrorism, regional stability, and climate change.
Fragmented Libya is a hot spot for many emerging threats
The southern Mediterranean shores are increasingly plagued by geopolitical tensions, exacerbated by Libya's crises of arms trafficking and migration. The post-2011 destabilization of Libya led to a proliferation of small arms and light weapons…
How a warming planet threatens the Nile Delta
The Nile Delta, a critical hub of Egypt's historical, agricultural, and cultural heritage, faces a severe ecological crisis driven by climate change. Rising temperatures and sea levels threaten this densely populated region, home to nearly 50 million people.
Migration becomes a ‘dirty war’
The southern Mediterranean shores are increasingly plagued by geopolitical tensions, exacerbated by Libya's crises of arms trafficking and migration. The post-2011 destabilization of Libya led to a proliferation of small arms and light weapons…
Europe’s missed opportunity in Tunisia
Tunisia, once the Arab Spring's sole democratic success, is now in severe regression, marked by an alarming crackdown on migrants, civil society, NGOs, journalists, and political opposition.
Can we finally agree that UN’s Libya mission is not working?
Nearly fifteen years after a supposed "awakening," Libya remains crippled by division, conflict, and self-interested actors masquerading as supporters. The country is trapped between the Government of National Unity in Tripoli and the eastern…
Crackdowns on US college protests serve only to disenfranchise youth and miss the point
American universities, long heralded as bastions of free speech and engines of social change, now face a troubling decline in their handling of the Palestinian solidarity movement. Recent events at Columbia University, where over 200 pro-Palestinian…
Will a new embassy mean a new approach for the US in Libya?
Libya's fractured political and security landscape is dominated by hybrid armed groups that have morphed into quasi-state actors, hindering the nation's journey toward stability and sovereignty.
Sudan needs a new approach to aid — and fast
The crisis in Sudan, inflamed by violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, has unleashed profound suffering and regional instability. Over 8.6 million people have been displaced…
EU’s new pact on migration seems unlikely to be enough
The EU's proposed Pact on Migration and Asylum, aiming to address the persistent issue of migration, arrives at a crucial moment in the bloc’s history. This comprehensive framework seeks to balance border control with "mandatory solidarity" among member states.
What does Egypt-Turkiye rapprochement mean for Libya?
The rapprochement between Turkiye and Egypt marks a pivotal shift in regional diplomacy, with profound implications for the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa, particularly Libya. This thawing of relations, highlighted by diplomatic exchanges and President…
The urgent need for water diplomacy amid a decline in global water security
The dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) exemplifies the complexities of hydro-diplomacy and the urgent need for sustainable management of transboundary water resources.
The invisible costs of ‘Fortress Europe’
Europe's migration management strategies, particularly in dealings with the Maghreb, illustrate a paradox at the core of European policy. Reliance on agreements with local authoritarian leaders to curb migration risks entrenching autocracy and…