Morocco

Europe

Economics

Politics

The European Court of Justice, or ECJ, issued a final ruling invalidating the 2019 EU-Morocco trade deals on agriculture and fisheries, saying the European Commission had violated the self-determination rights of the indigenous Sahrawi people in Western Sahara by not including them in negotiations, Reuters reported on Oct. 4.

Morocco, Western Sahara, EU: European Court of Justice Invalidates 2019 EU-Morocco Trade Deals

Environment, Science & Technology

Social Issues

Science & Technology

According to data released by Morocco's Directorate General of Water Engineering, Morocco's dam levels have dropped below 28%, Hespress reported Aug. 13.

Morocco: Critical Dam Levels Lead to Water Rationing Measures

Algeria

Western Sahara

France

Algeria recalled its ambassador to France hours after the Moroccan Royal Palace released a statement saying France's recognition of its sovereignty claims over Western Sahara was a "significant development in support of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara," RFI reported July 30.

Algeria, France: Algeria Recalls Ambassador Over France's Western Sahara Stance

Military & Security

In a letter from French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco's King Mohamed VI, France recognized Morocco's sovereignty claims over the Western Sahara, writing, "For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue must be resolved," Reuters reported July 30.

Morocco, France, Algeria: France Recognizes Morocco's Sovereignty Claims Over Western Sahara

Mali

Clashes erupted on July 25 between the Malian army, supported by Russian Africa Corps mercenaries, and Tuareg rebel groups in the northern Kidal region, Jeune Afrique reported on July 26.

Mali: Security Forces Clash With Tuareg Rebels Near Algerian Border

Comoros

Djibouti

Mauritania

Somalia

Sudan

Bahrain

Egypt

Iraq

Israel

Jordan

Kuwait

Lebanon

Libya

Oman

Palestinian Territories

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Tunisia

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Arab leaders began to arrive in Manama, Bahrain, on May 15, for the 33rd Arab League summit that will focus on developing a consensus on the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, The National reported the next day.

MENA: Arab League Summit To Formalize Conditions for Gaza Reconstruction

Spain

Energy

Algeria said it would stop delivering natural gas to Spain's Naturgy if the utility company sells shares to another company, Reuters reported on May 6.

Algeria: Algiers Threatens To Stop Gas Deliveries to Spain's Naturgy if Its Shares Are Sold

Algeria's new ambassador to Spain, Abdelfettah Daghmoum, presented his credentials to Spain's King Felipe VI on April 8, The New Arab reported on April 10.

Algeria, Spain: Algeria Reinstates Ambassador to Spain

Assessments

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune meets with France's President Emmanuel Macron at the Borgo Egnazia resort on the sideline of the Group of Seven summit in Savelletri, Apulia region, Italy, on June 13, 2024.

Global Elections

The likely reelection of President Tebboune will yield a nationalist approach to foreign policy in the short term and additional economic reforms, though a growing internal debt burden will challenge economic growth.

Algeria's Political and Economic Course Seems Set as President Tebboune Readies Himself for Another Term

United States

Turkey

Israeli soldiers guard a barrier, silhouetted against afternoon sun.

As Gaza moves closer to a post-war reality, political limitations in Israel and competing interests abroad muddy the waters of the region's future governance.

For Israel, the Challenge of Gaza's Future Governance Deepens

Snapshots

Moroccan Air Force mechanics examine an F-16 fighter jet at an airbase in Ben Guerir, about 58 kilometers north of Marrakesh, Morocco, on June 14, 2021. 

Pressure from its pro-Palestinian population will not deter Morocco from using Israeli technology to expand its domestic weapons capabilities, as Rabat seeks to catch up to Algeria’s military power and position itself as an arms exporter.

Despite the Gaza War, Morocco-Israel Defense Ties Look Set to Deepen

People protest against high living costs in Rabat, Morocco, on Feb. 20, 2023.

If the country's cost-of-living crisis worsens, Rabat may face political turmoil that results in a Cabinet reshuffle or the prime minister's resignation.

What's in Store for Morocco in 2024

Displaced Sahrawis arrive at the refugee camp of Dakhla, which lies some 170 kilometers southeast of the Algerian city of Tindouf, on Jan. 13, 2023.

Rabat will leverage growing support of its sovereignty claims to attract investment to the disputed region, as Algiers tries to prevent the territorial dispute from further harming its foreign relationships.

Morocco and Algeria's Evolving Strategies in Western Sahara

Media

Podcasts

Essential Geopolitics thumbnail

How is Morocco dealing with the fallout from the quake?

Essential Geopolitics: The Long-Term Implications of Morocco's Recent Earthquake

Students from the American University of Beirut (AUB) rally in support of Palestinians outside the main gate of the university in the Lebanese capital on Oct. 9, 2023. 

Israel's likely ground invasion in Gaza will alienate many Muslims in the Middle East, pressuring their governments to respond in support of Palestinians.

Gauging the Regional Response to the Gaza Conflict

Earthquake rescue operations Sept. 11, 2023, in the mountainous area of Tizi n-Test, Taroudant province, Morocco.

The quake will harm growth into 2024, potentially forcing the government out and slowing the country's fiscal consolidation.

The Moroccan Earthquake's Economic and Political Fallout

Low water levels are seen at the Sidi Salem Dam, Tunisia's largest embankment dam, on April 6, 2023. 

Water and food shortages this summer will increase socioeconomic risks in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, along with the impetus for more sustainable agricultural practices. 

After a Dry Spring, Northwest Africa Braces for Disruptive Crop Failures

After decades of isolation, Algiers plans to use its energy wealth to engage with the world, but its lack of economic diversification will hamper this process.

Algeria Emerges From Isolation, but Its Economy and Foreign Policy Will Limit Change

People take part in a ''Free Sahara'' rally in Madrid, Spain, on March 30, 2022, in protest of the Spanish government's recent move to recognize Morocco's autonomy plan for the disputed territory of Western Sahara. 

Security

Madrid’s support will further legitimize Rabat’s claimed control over the disputed territory, though it will also risk inciting more attacks by Algeria-backed militants.

Spain's New Stance on Western Sahara Brings Morocco-Algeria Tensions Back to a Boil

Guidance

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Uruguay

China

Pakistan

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: EU and Chinese Officials Talk Trade, Israel Hosts an Abraham Accords Summit

Morocco sits on the northwestern coast of Africa.  To the west is the Atlantic Ocean; to the north is Europe and Spain; to the east and south is Algeria and the Sahara Desert.  It is divided between three distinct geographic regions: the temperate plains and hills of the northern coast, the mountains and deserts of its south and and southeast, and the coastal deserts of its south.  It is bisected by the Atlas Mountains, which shield the coastlines from the desert climate of the interior.    Most of Morocco’s population lives near the coastlines of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, where the climate allows for agriculture, and where trading posts thrived off trade to and from Europe.  But Morocco also has access to phosphate deposits, an important ingredient in the development of fertilizer.  But several of these mines are in the disputed Western Sahara, which has declared an unrecognized independence from Morocco.    Because it partially sits on the Mediterranean, Morocco is exposed to influence and attack from other, more powerful Mediterranean states, especially European ones.  The Roman Empire, Spain, and France all occupied Morocco for long periods of time.  Today, Morocco sees a threat from neighboring Algeria, whom it sees as a rival attempting to influence and control Moroccan affairs.    It seeks to maintain security along its desert borders, while defending against Algeria.  It also seeks to gain access to the prosperity of Europe, while avoiding being controlled by European powers.  It also must contend with a changing climate, as the Sahara Desert moves northward.  Balancing these imperatives is the geographic challenge of Morocco.

SITUATION REPORTS

Morocco, Western Sahara, EU: European Court of Justice Invalidates 2019 EU-Morocco Trade Deals

Morocco: Critical Dam Levels Lead to Water Rationing Measures

Algeria, France: Algeria Recalls Ambassador Over France's Western Sahara Stance

Morocco, France, Algeria: France Recognizes Morocco's Sovereignty Claims Over Western Sahara

Mali: Security Forces Clash With Tuareg Rebels Near Algerian Border

MENA: Arab League Summit To Formalize Conditions for Gaza Reconstruction

Algeria: Algiers Threatens To Stop Gas Deliveries to Spain's Naturgy if Its Shares Are Sold

Algeria, Spain: Algeria Reinstates Ambassador to Spain

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