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

Could foreign partners help revive ailing Arab film industry?

The Sharm el-Sheikh Arab and European Film Festival started a debate through a seminar on joint film projects between the Arab world and Europe, over the feasibility of international co-productions.

Egypt

Why Egypt is moving forward on free trade

Experts consider Egypt's recent actions supporting the Agadir Agreement significant, as Egypt has the largest market among the free-trade agreement's member countries, which will enjoy greater trade and investment opportunities with the help of Egyptian labor and investment opportunities.

Saudi Arabia

EU deeply divided over Western Sahara policy

A European Court of Justice decision excluding Western Saharan exports from receiving preferential tariffs granted to Morocco has highlighted the need for the European Union to address the issue of who represents the people of Western Sahara.

Morocco

Runners in grueling marathon persevere, as do Sahrawis

Each year, runners brave the harsh conditions of the Sahara Marathon to benefit and show solidarity with the Sahrawi people.

Algeria

Polisario seeks to keep Sahara dispute in spotlight

By withdrawing from a Western Sahara neutral area, Morocco is courting the new UN secretary-general while getting rid of the attention the tense situation has brought to the Western Sahara plight.

Mauritania

What's on Morocco's agenda as it rejoins African Union?

Morocco wants to take advantage of its strong economic presence to gain political support in the Western Sahara dispute while becoming a hub for Western investments in the African continent.

Morocco

What the US stands to lose by alienating Morocco

After Donald Trump's election, abrupt and extreme changes in US policy threaten its relationship with longtime ally Morocco.

Morocco

How these artists are working to fight extremism in the Mideast

A group of artists came together at the International Artists Gathering in Fez, Morocco, to generate strategies for a counterattack that points creativity to a social purpose and fights fire with artistic expression.

Morocco

Goldfinch trainers seek to spread wings beyond Gaza

Palestinian trainers of singing goldfinches hope to one day take part in international competitions, but have been limited so far because of closed borders.

Palestine