In the Middle East and North Africa  region, the sustainability of security sectors is increasingly affected by economic and financial challenges. After protracted conflicts and multiple economic crises, this trend encompasses both fractured states and relatively-stable countries. In some cases, budgets are reduced or more dependent on international or regional support; in others, salaries are low or even intermittent; too often, good financial governance is threatened by old and new dynamics.

As MENA countries are still affected by mismanagement and corruption amidst difficult financial contexts, it is becoming increasingly clear that the policies towards the MENA region – including in terms of security assistance – do not support the resilience of security forces and their good governance.

Through a number of case-studies, this joint Dossier between ISPI and DCAF seeks to trace the most pressing security sectors’ economic and financial issues, shedding light on trends and outlooks and trying to devise alternative blueprints for security assistance in the MENA region.

As part of this dossier, DCAF has published a second commentary: "Politics of predation: trends and obstacles to development in Libya"