Middle East & North Africa

Despite the progress Tunisia has made in the past years, corruption and the high frequency of changes in government have hampered socio-economic development and political reform. These grievances have led to a growing disenfranchisement with the political process, particularly among the youth. Radical groups have been gaining a stronger foothold among politically and socioeconomically marginalized groups in Tunisia.

A study tour of foreign policy think tanks organized by the EU-Middle East Forum (EUMEF) at the DGAP brought together 17 mid-level experts from the MENA region and Europe, all of whom had previously participated in one or more EUMEF policy workshops or scenario workshops. The program was undertaken in close cooperation with the Robert Bosch Stiftung.

The conclusion of the Iran nuclear treaty in July 2015 and its entry into force the following January had a significant impact on both German and European politics vis-à-vis Iran and with regard to media coverage of the Islamic Republic. Human rights issues have shifted out of focus in favor of economic interests. What is the reality of the human rights situation in Iran, and what effect does the conclusion of the treaty have on the country? What does it mean for German and European foreign policy toward Iran? These were some of the questions of an expert panel discussion organized by the DGAP’s Middle East and North Africa program in cooperation with the Middle East and International Affairs Research Group (MEIA).