TIMEP Expands its Scope, Opens Europe Office in Brussels and Extends Outreach to International Civil Society as World Leadership Changes


The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP) in Washington, DC, is pleased to announce the opening of TIMEP Europe in Brussels, Belgium. TIMEP Europe will work in conjunction with TIMEP in Washington to coordinate closely with policymakers in the European Union and continue the implementation of its mission in Europe.

Since its inception, TIMEP has targeted policymakers in the United States and Europe, recognizing the importance of a collaborative approach to responding to developments in the Middle East and North Africa. Much like the United States, the European Union is a key stakeholder and party to policy decisions within the region.

The opening of TIMEP’s European office coincides with the election of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States.

“Although it is early and thus difficult to predict the effects of his presidency, there are obvious consequent concerns about the U.S. government’s ability to continue to support principles such as respect for human rights and civil liberties in countries undergoing transition across the Middle East. TIMEP remains committed to its mission to bring policymakers’ attention to the correlation between freedom and security in the region while drawing upon local, marginalized voices, which is more needed than ever,” said Nancy Okail, TIMEP’s executive director.

“The upcoming change in U.S. leadership also signals the need to expand outreach and engage the E.U. policymaking community more substantively, and most importantly, to work with international civil society to implement a related advocacy approach that ensures the voices of those affected by foreign policy is heard and that their views are taken into account,” explained Ramy Yaacoub, TIMEP’s deputy director.

The opening of TIMEP Europe will elevate the institute’s unique operational approach of analysis, advocacy, and action to policy makers and stakeholders in Europe. TIMEP Europe’s office will also expand on TIMEP’s established relationships within the European Commission, the External Action Service, the European Parliament, and Brussels-based NGOs and other regional civil society actors.

Mr. Koert Debeuf, who brings 20 years of experience in European and Middle East politics, will lead TIMEP Europe as the director of the Brussels office. Debeuf previously served as advisor, speechwriter, and spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Belgium. He also served as director of the Belgian think tank Prometheus, and Chief of Staff of the President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe within the European Parliament. Debeuf lived in Cairo from 2011 to 2016, traveling throughout the region to gain a local and nuanced understanding of the Arab uprisings and subsequent political dynamics.

“Mr. Debeuf is expertly qualified to establish TIMEP Europe as a medium to bring policy makers and civil society organizations from the U.S., the E.U., and the Middle East to provide for greater cooperation and, subsequently, impact on key policy issues such as the crises in Syria and Iraq, the economic and security situation in Egypt, and the presence of extremism across the region,” said Okail. “What is particularly valuable is his experience within the region, which will help TIMEP bring attention to local dynamics at a challenging time.”

TIMEP Europe is now open and has begun implementing its new scope and outreach efforts ahead of 2017.

The office is located at 1040 Brussels, Rue de la Loi 155.

For general inquiries please contact: [email protected]
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The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of democratic transitions in the Middle East through analysis, advocacy, and action.