Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
As a result of Spain reversing its position on the Western Sahara in favor of Morocco’s autonomy plan, Algeria has suspended its long-standing friendship treaty with Madrid.
The two neighbors’ diplomatic relations ceased last summer. But this recent break merely sheds a light on a history of tensions and mistrust.
Recent crackdowns on protestors in Algeria have put into question the future of the Hirak movement.
Amid mounting state repression on the cusp of Algerian legislative elections, the Hirak struggles to evolve from a popular protest movement into politically relevant opposition.
With the pandemic, Algeria’s Hirak movement devotes most of its energy to resisting the unprecedented crackdown on freedom of expression.
The shifting relationships between armies and civil society are revealing new balances within defense structures.
Moscow has a stake in ensuring that a negotiated transition in Algeria preserves the political and diplomatic status quo.
Algeria’s recent protests have highlighted existing divisions within the business class that are only likely to widen further.
Rather than making North Africa safer, securitizing borders has raised the risk of instability along the region’s frontiers, where communities depend on smuggling.
Although Maghreb states have tended to pursue border security unilaterally, increased transnational coordination at the local level offers a more sustainable approach.
While countries in the Maghreb and the Gulf are increasing their security cooperation, they lack a long-term strategic understanding.
In confronting the Sahel’s transnational security challenges, international actors would benefit from giving Maghreb states a role in stabilization and development.
Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia’s “helicopter money” policy is a short-term fix not only to Algeria’s economic problems, but also to its precarious political equilibrium.
Women continue to face challenges in accessing the higher echelons of political power, but also in playing a more substantive role in the policymaking process.
Algeria’s myriad Islamist parties are either barred from the elections or internally divided over whether to support the government or join the opposition, limiting their chances of success.
A primer on Algeria’s upcoming legislative elections, parliament, candidates, and registered voters.
While preparing the population for austerity measures, the Algerian government is still scrambling for alternatives to avoid them.
Algeria’s austerity measures are driving protests among its previously acquiescent middle class, and the state is hardening its stance against such unrest.
Algeria’s youth are increasingly turning to social entrepreneurship to find creative solutions to persistent unemployment and an austerity economy.
Sada contributors share their take on what the extraordinary election of Donald Trump could mean for a region in turmoil.