Advancing a Values-Based U.S.-MENA Policy
ACMER advances a U.S. foreign policy towards the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) that prioritizes human rights, democratic governance, accountability, and civilian protection.
Our Policy Framework
Our work is organized across five core pillars that address the structural drivers of conflict, repression, and instability in the region.
Pillar 1: Human Rights & Accountability
Human rights abuses, civilian harm, and impunity undermine regional stability and U.S. credibility. Advancing a rights-centered U.S. foreign policy requires enforcing accountability, protecting civilians, and aligning U.S. assistance and engagement with democratic and humanitarian principles.
ACMER Priorities:
- Enforcing U.S. human rights law, including Leahy Laws, Magnitsky sanctions, and arms transfer restrictions.
- Conditioning U.S. security assistance on respect for human rights and the rule of law.
- Protecting humanitarian access and civilian life, including restoring funding for life-saving aid.
Pillar 2: Ending U.S. Militarized Policy in the Region
Decades of militarized U.S. policy have fueled instability, civilian harm, and repeated escalation while weakening democratic oversight. Ending open-ended military engagement requires restoring congressional oversight, preventing misuse of U.S. weapons, and prioritizing diplomacy over force.
ACMER Priorities:
- Restoring congressional oversight over war powers and arms transfers.
- Repealing outdated Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs).
- Preventing the misuse of U.S. weapons and prioritizing diplomacy over military force.
Pillar 3: Democratic Governance & Political Inclusion
Durable peace and long-term stability depend on inclusive governance, protected civic space, and accountable political institutions. Supporting democratic governance requires safeguarding political rights, strengthening civilian-led institutions, and advancing inclusive political frameworks.
ACMER Priorities:
- Defending civic space, political rights, and independent media, including confronting transnational repression targeting diaspora communities.
- Supporting democratic benchmarks in U.S. diplomatic and security engagement.
- Advancing inclusive, civilian-led political transitions and self-determination.
Pillar 4: Countering Authoritarian Influence & Corruption
Authoritarian influence and corruption fuel conflict, undermine democratic governance, and distort U.S. foreign policy priorities, often when tolerated as a tradeoff for security cooperation. Countering these dynamics requires confronting the financial and political networks that enable repression and entrench instability.
ACMER Priorities:
- Disrupting financial and political networks that enable authoritarian power.
- Targeted sanctions and conditionality to counter corruption tied to repression and conflict.
Pillar 5: Economic & Digital Governance
Economic and digital governance shape political inclusion, accountability, and long-term stability. Advancing equitable and sustainable outcomes requires promoting transparency, labor protections, and public accountability rather than corruption or elite capture.
ACMER Priorities:
- Supporting transparent and accountable economic and digital governance.
- Implementing fair development standards through international financial institutions.
- Supporting economic self-determination and civilian-led reconstruction in post-conflict settings.