This is a new elective focusing on the geostrategic significance of North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya) with an eye towards the Sahel region—an area that is intrinsically linked culturally and economically to the north African states under consideration. Among the themes to be explores are the prospects of war and conflict over the Western Sahara; the rise of religious extremism and terrorism; the prospects for economic and political integration in N. Africa; U.S strategic interests; regime stability; internal political, economic, and social dynamics as indicators of stability and security (or instability and insecurity); the centrality of culture; the problems of minorities including women and non-state actors; and human and civil rights; etc. In addition to the thematic approach, the course will examine the historical and cultural evolutions of each state with an eye towards analyzing the broader security implications of North Africa on Sub- Saharan Africa and the Horn of Africa—two important geopolitical areas for the United States and its allies. If insecurity and instability are general features of the post-Cold War world, they are especially acute in all North Africa states and groups (Al Qaeda in the Maghreb, the Islamic Salvation Front, and the Islamic Grouping of Algeria) where the inter-state and intra-state conflicts and internal social--sometimes class—schisms may underlie the challenge of basic regime legitimacy. Finally, the course will explore key conceptual domestic tensions, namely secularism and religion; modernity and tradition; pluralism and authoritarian rule; etc on a comparative basis. The course will utilize an overlapping domestic, regional and international dynamics model to help flesh out the key political, economic, social (including religious), and military underpinnings of the states under analysis. Requirements include one oral presentation, analytically sustained seminar contributions, and a short analytical essay focusing on strategy and policy issues.

These seminars are organized and led by FSI area specialists; who also bring in expert lecturers from universities; government and private organizations. The courses combine lectures; discussions; and other participatory activities; field trips; written and audio-visual materials in order to highlight the key historical; political; economic and socio-cultural themes of each region. American policy interests; such as economic competitiveness; security issues; democratization; environmental concerns and other major initiatives; are analyzed within each regional context. In addition; the courses are responsive to the individual and pragmatic needs of persons departing directly for overseas posts. Applicants for these courses should indicate their specific country of interest. It is also advisable to confirm course content because changes which occur in the real world are quickly reflected in course organization and teaching at the Foreign Service Institute. Some of these courses also include modules that are shorter in duration and focus on a specific country or sub-regional issues. These modules are; in general; one or two days that are set aside to address a specific region or organization. Participants may register for the module portion only. Please see schedule for more information.