Morocco - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

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City Name

Rabat

Morocco

October 16, 2026

Rabat 12:45 am

17°C

Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Morocco's newly appointed head of government

Culture

Who is Fatima El Mansouri, Morocco’s first woman prime minister?

Her appointment marks the first time a woman has served as Morocco’s head of government and the second time a woman has held the position in the Arab world.

Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787-9 'Dreamliner' aircraft

Israel, Morocco agree to exchange ambassadors, open embassies

The move will mark the first time Morocco and Israel have exchanged ambassadors.

UDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Fueled by regional rivalries, Algeria severs diplomatic ties with UAE

Algiers accused Abu Dhabi of increasingly “provocative and hostile actions” after years of friction over Morocco, Western Sahara and competing regional interests.

Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, speaks to the media during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Press Conference at Mexico City Stadium on June 10, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Analysis

FIFA in turmoil: Middle East takes center stage as Infantino fights to stay in power

Amid the backlash to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's controversial investment plan, upcoming World Cup hosts Morocco and Saudi Arabia have starring roles in the drama.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Explainer

Estimated 60,000 migrants cross from Morocco into Spanish territory: What we know

Ceuta

Explainer

France-Morocco ties get an energy jolt as historic heatwaves pressure Europe

Director of European Affairs and Customs at La Poste Groupe Christelle Defaye-Geneste (L) and Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour (R) sign agreements between La Poste Groupe and Barid Al-Maghrib, alongside France's Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu (C-L) and his Moroccan counterpart, Aziz Akhannouch, during a meeting in Rabat on July 16, 2026.

Naima Morelli

In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Members of the Polisario Front stand guard during a visit of the United Nations chief on March 5, 2016, in Bir-Lahlou, in the disputed territory of Western Sahara, situated 220 kilometres (137 miles) southwest of the Algerian town of Tindouf.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who met Polisario Front leaders including its Secretary General, said he would "spare no effort" in trying to find a solution to the Western Sahara issue. / AFP / Farouk Batiche (Photo credit should read FAROUK BATICHE/AFP via G

Western Sahara conflict tests Turkey-Algeria ties

Turkey’s continued cold war with the Saudi bloc is adding fuel to the brewing conflict in Western Sahara between Algeria and Morocco.

Intel: Morocco signs 10-year military cooperation agreement with Pentagon

The United States is building up its alliances in North Africa amid tensions with Russia and China.

This handout picture released by the Egyptian Presidency on April 14, 2019, shows Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C) and intelligence chief Abbas Kamel (R) meeting Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar (L) at the Ittihadia presidential Palace in the capital Cairo. - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met Sunday with Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar whose forces are fighting for control of the capital Tripoli, state media reported. Sisi has been an ardent supporter of Haftar's forces, which control sw

Is Egypt sidelining its Libyan ally?

Egypt has for the first time hosted a delegation from western Libya, which may point to the possible marginalization of eastern military commander Khalifa Hifter in upcoming peace talks.

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US B-52 bombers train with Morocco, Tunisia aircraft over Mediterranean

The destroyer USS Roosevelt simulated a hostile ship in a US show of force alongside the North African countries.

Children sit in a classroom at a school in the Moroccan village of Taghzirt, in el-Haouz province in the High Atlas Mountains south of the capital of Marrakech, on March 4, 2016.
When using well-known search engines, one can find very few information about Taghzirt village. And while tourists from all around the world enjoy the sun warm days and the snow-covered view of the nearby mountains from Marrakesh, hundreds of villagers suffer from the harshness of winter and isolation, due to the state of the roads

Inside Morocco’s digital divide: girls fighting for education in lockdown

While the internet has kept many going through coronavirus lockdowns, the digital divide could mean that many Moroccan students will fall behind.

Moroccan activist calls for revolution of ideas

While female entrepreneurship is steadily increasing in Morocco, cultural barriers stand in the way of women achieving their full economic potential.

Why Turkey is trying to improve its profile in the Maghreb

In parallel with its military activities in Libya and rising profile in Africa, Ankara moves to strengthen its geostrategic and geo-economic ties with Maghreb countries.

Morocco targeted journalist with Israeli spyware, says Amnesty International

The London-based rights group Amnesty International says Omar Radi’s phone was subjected to a series of attacks.

Secret operation brings Israelis stranded in Morocco back home

In a complicated operation, Israelis stuck in Morocco because of the coronavirus were finally brought home.

United Arab Emirates

COVID-19 offers new opportunities for Israel-Arab relations

In secret diplomatic ties or in open posts on social media, Israel reaches out to Arab neighbors battling with the coronavirus.

United Arab Emirates

Intel: US plans anti-ship missile sale for Morocco

Congress was notified today of US plans for a $62 million sale of anti-ship missiles for Morocco that would be launched from F-16 aircraft.

Morocco, Algeria face off at UN over Western Sahara

The Polisario Front is disappointed over the lack of interest from the international community in the group's four-decade-long battle for self-determination and an independent state.