Algeria - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Algeria cover image - flag

Algeria

December 27, 2025

Algiers 2:41 pm

16°C

ABDEL MAJID BZIOUAT/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Morocco's UN-backed Western Sahara plan offers investors some reassurance

Last week, the UN Security Council voted in favor of a resolution backing Rabat’s plan for Western Sahara, describing autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the “most feasible solution” to the 50-year disagreement over the disputed territory.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Camels roam next to wind turbines that will supply power to a desalination plant under construction in Dakhla in the disputed Western Sahara, mostly controlled by Morocco, on May 26, 2025.

Feature

Trump eyes Algeria-Morocco rift over Western Sahara in latest peace bid

With the world’s attention fixed on the Gaza ceasefire, the Trump administration has its sights set on another diplomatic deal: Western Sahara.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Algeria's Sonatrach latest foreign oil major to resume Libya drilling

Libya has Africa’s largest proven oil reserves, with approximately 48.4 billion barrels, but political instability had led international energy firms to avoid it for more than a decade.

A man wearing a traditional cloth walks past national flags of Algeria near the Bay of Algiers in Algiers, on Aug. 25, 2022.

Analysis

Algeria hails new $60B energy plan but price slump threatens reform push

The OPEC member recently held its first oil and gas licensing round in a decade, attracting significant international interest and awarding five of six onshore blocks, signaling progress in its energy ambitions despite ongoing challenges.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

World Bank ups Middle East 2025 economic outlook as oil, tourism rebound

A picture taken from a station of Dubai's Palm Monorail, shows traffic on a road in Palm Jumeirah on August 28, 2025.

Culture

Algeria, China deepen cultural ties with opening of Confucius Institute

Dancers perform at the opening of the Confucius Institute in Algiers, Sept. 23, 2025.

India, Morocco open new military factory in Casablanca region

Moroccan soldiers patrol the city of Tangiers on August 11, 2020 amid a new outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images

Middle Eastern countries face new Trump tariffs: What to know

European and Asian markets fell again on Friday amid a broad selloff due to the economic uncertainty caused by the tariffs.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 29: U.S. President Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn of the White House followed by granddaughter Chloe after returning on Marine One on July 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump returned to the White House with his family after a trip to Scotland that was part vacation, part work, as he stayed at his Trump Turnberry golf course, followed by Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, from July 25 to 29. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Analysis

Middle East braces for Trump's tariffs: Gulf gains, North Africa strains as both hedge

The tariffs could be wins for the Gulf states, as many have trade surpluses with the United States, while some in North Africa and the Levant, with trade deficits, stand to lose.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

US President Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking during a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025, in Washington.

From Iraq to Algeria, Trump’s looming tariffs could target 4 MENA countries

The United States has a trade deficit with Iraq, Algeria, Libya and Tunisia, according to the US government, prompting the president to send them letters warning of new tariffs.

RICCARDO MILANI/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Rebuking 5-year sentence, France urges Algeria to pardon Sansal: What to know

France-Algeria relations have deteriorated recently, marked by expulsions of diplomats and tensions over Moroccan control of Western Sahara, migration and more.

in the center of the Egyptian capital, May 6, 2022.

Analysis

North Africa’s rail race spurred by World Cup, trade and bullet trains

Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are betting on high-speed rail, long-distance routes and expanded networks to improve their economic outlook and project power.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

A picture taken on July 23, 2021 shows an Algerian flag fluttering on the facade of the embassy in Paris. - Algeria expressed "deep concern" following press reports that it may have been the target of the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware as it launched a probe. (Photo by Joël SAGET / AFP) (Photo by JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)

France expels 12 Algerian diplomats in tit-for-tat escalation

Paris decided to retaliate symmetrically after the expulsion on Monday of 12 of its diplomats from Algeria.

Attendees fly a French national flag and an Algerian national flag during a gathering for the election night following the second round results of France's legislative election at Republique Square in Paris on July 7, 2024. A broad left-wing coalition was leading a tight French legislative election, ahead of both President's centrists and the far right with no group winning an absolute majority, projections showed. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP) (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Algeria-France crisis peaks as Algiers expels 12 diplomats: What we know

A rift between Algeria and France has heated up on Monday as Algiers ordered a dozen French diplomats out of the country.

Italian energy giant Eni's general director, Claudio Descalzi.

Italy's Eni to invest $26B in Egypt, Libya, Algeria energy projects

Eni is already a leading foreign energy company in the region, with footholds in Algeria, Egypt and Libya.

Morocco's king, Mohammed VI, speaks with France's president, Emmanuel Macron, as France's minister of the interior, Bruno Retailleau, and his counterpart from Morocco sign documents during their meeting in the Royal Palace in the capital, Rabat, on Oct. 28, 2024.

Analysis

How France’s growing Morocco ties fueled diplomatic crisis with Algeria

Algeria continues to distance itself from French influence while seeking to isolate Morocco, forging new alliances with Egypt, Libya, Sudan and other nations not closely aligned with Morocco.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

A Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft is exhibited during the Army-2022 International Military-Technical Forum at the Russian Armed Forces' Patriot Park in Kubinka, outside Moscow, Russia, Aug. 16, 2022.

Analysis

Algeria becomes first foreign buyer of Russia's Su-57 fighter jet: What to know

Algeria has become the first state to buy Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57E stealth fighter jet, reinforcing its deep military ties with Moscow amid a growing arms race in North Africa.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

This picture taken on Aug. 25, 2022 shows the France flag and Algeria flag ahead of the arrival of French President in Algiers for an official visit.

Analysis

What lessons can France draw from Algeria-Spain trade reset?

Algeria’s central bank has ordered the unfreezing of trade with Spain after nearly two and half years of economic retaliation in return for Madrid endorsing Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Algerian People's National Council

Iran sends senior delegation to Algeria, Tunisia as relations warm

This week, a high-level Iranian delegation is visiting Algeria and Tunisia for talks with senior officials from both North African countries.