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. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
In photos: Muslims kick off Eid al-Adha across the Middle East The holiday’s arrival cast a spotlight on deepening humanitarian crises, leadership transitions and shifting regional dynamics. Saudi Arabia
Morocco’s agricultural, fishing sectors plunge in 2024 amid drought, climate strain Agriculture is a pillar of the Moroccan economy, and in 2023, it amounted to more than 11% of the country’s gross domestic product. Morocco
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. Algeria
Analysis Growing arms race tests Morocco’s military tech edge, Israel ties By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Russia's balancing act in North Africa Despite Russia's very different relations with Algeria and Morocco, Moscow takes pains to treat them the same. Algeria
Erdogan goes after Morocco’s Gulenists Several Turks affiliated with the Gulen movement have been arrested in Morocco, raising questions about the kingdom’s independence in its decisions. Turkey
In Morocco, press freedom shrinks with Hirak protests As part of the Moroccan authorities' efforts to silence the Hirak protest movement, journalists are facing pressure and repression, prompting questions about their objectivity and the freedom of the press. Morocco
Sit-in in Morocco’s south still going strong as it enters its seventh year After six years of an uninterrupted sit-in, the inhabitants of Imider in southeast Morocco march to reaffirm their demands. Morocco
Protests continue in Morocco despite crackdown Hirak, a protest movement active in Morocco’s marginalized Rif region, is still going strong despite brutal police repression and arrests. Morocco
House rejects Trump’s Middle East aid cuts The House spending bill calls for far more assistance to North Africa. Egypt
Protests grow over police actions in Morocco The Moroccan government promotes the country as a model for stability in the region, but its failure to calm months of protests could have serious consequences. Morocco
Trump budget slashes Middle East aid The State Department is seeking deep cuts to military and economic assistance for Arab states. Bahrain
Morocco cracks down on fighters returning from IS The Moroccan authorities are deploying all efforts to curb the phenomenon of former Islamic State fighters returning to their home country by arresting them. Iraq
Russia keeping a close eye on Algeria Algeria’s new legislature, facing tough economic times domestically, needs to make gains in foreign policy to regain citizens’ trust — something Russia might be able to facilitate. Algeria
Morocco finally gets new government, but at what cost? The announcement of a new Cabinet in Morocco after months of difficulty revealed that the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) may have had to pay a heavy price for compromise. Morocco
How Polisario Front hopes to partner with Russia in Western Sahara Polisario Front officials in Western Sahara are working to enlist Russia as an ally at the United Nations Security Council in their fight for independence, as they believe both sides have many shared interests. Algeria
