Safae El Yaaqoubi is a senior policy analyst specializing in North Africa and the broader Middle East (MENA). She brings nearly 20 years of experience analyzing regional geopolitics, U.S. foreign policy, cross-border integration, and political and socio-economic transformation across the Maghreb, Sahel, and wider region. Previously, she served as a State Department–accredited journalist, reporting extensively on U.S.–MENA relations and North African affairs. Her analysis has appeared in the Wilson Center, New Lines Institute, Al Jazeera English, and leading media outlets across the region. A Fulbright scholar, El Yaaqoubi holds an M.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University, a B.A. in Political Science from Oregon State University, and a B.A. in Journalism from the Rabat School of Journalism and Communication. She is fluent in Arabic, French, and English.
