ALGERIAN PATRIOTS - ENGLISH

On August 23, 1957, a confidential CIA document was drafted, revealing crucial insights into French policy toward Algeria, then in the midst of its war of independence. Recently declassified, this document sheds new light on France’s intentions regarding the oil-rich Saharan regions and its post-independence strategies. Through diplomatic, economic, and geopolitical maneuvers, Paris sought to maintain its grip on this strategically vital territory. An Indispensable Algerian Sahara for France According to the document, France regarded the Algerian Sahara as a region of paramount importance—not only for its oil and gas resources but also for its strategic position in North Africa. With this in mind, Paris was determined to secure its control over the area at all costs, administratively detaching it from the rest of Algeria. This policy materialized in 1957 with the creation of two separate Saharan departments—an initiative designed to ensure that even in the event of Algerian independenc...

The expulsion of Morocco’s Vice-Consul in Oran, Mohamed El-Soufyani, announced by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is yet another illustration of the threat posed by Moroccan consular representations in Algeria. This decision, justified by "suspicious acts" deemed incompatible with the mission of a consular office, strengthens the argument that maintaining Moroccan consulates after the 2021 diplomatic break was a strategic misstep. Tangible Proof of Subversive Activities by Moroccan Consulates Algeria had already warned of Morocco’s hostile actions, which led to the severance of diplomatic ties on August 24, 2021. However, allowing Moroccan consulates to remain open provided Rabat with operational bases on Algerian soil, enabling subversive activities under the guise of consular missions. The statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is unequivocal: the vice-consul’s conduct constitutes a violation of Algerian laws and international conventions, particularly ...

Relations between Algeria and France are facing a major diplomatic storm, exacerbated by Paris’ recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in July 2024. This decision, which aligns with France’s continued support for Morocco, has been perceived by Algiers as a direct threat to its strategic interests and a challenge to its long-standing position on the Sahrawi issue. In response, Algeria has recalled its ambassador from France, marking a sharp break with Paris. This strong diplomatic move reflects growing frustration over what is seen as France’s increasingly pronounced alignment with Morocco’s stance. A Firm Algerian Stance Like Never Before While some observers, particularly on the Moroccan side, have interpreted recent statements by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as a sign of a softening Algerian position on Western Sahara, the reality is quite the opposite. Far from any shift, these statements underscore a deliberate and resolute strengthening of Algeria’s stance. By...

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has issued a final ruling in the controversial case between USM Alger (Algeria) and RS Berkane (Morocco) in the CAF Confederation Cup for the 2023/2024 season . This decision represents a humiliating defeat for Morocco , which attempted to use football as a tool to legitimize its illegal occupation of Western Sahara. However, its efforts have failed miserably , as CAS has reaffirmed that political manipulation has no place in sports. Morocco’s Attempt to Politicize Football and Impose an Illegal Narrative On April 21, 2024, USM Alger was scheduled to face RS Berkane in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals . However, the Algerian team refused to play the match after discovering that RS Berkane’s jerseys featured a political map depicting Western Sahara as part of Morocco . This was an explicit attempt by Morocco to use football as a tool for political propaganda , violating international law and CAF regulations , which prohibit politic...

The Maghreb, shaped by a rich tapestry of identities and intricate historical evolutions, bears the profound imprint of the colonial period. Among the administrative decisions imposed by colonial powers, the renaming of Morocco in Arabic—from the Sultanate of Fez and Marrakech (سلطنة فاس و مراكش) to Morocco  (المغرب) under the French Protectorate—stands out as an act with far-reaching consequences. Initially perceived as a pragmatic and purely administrative measure, this change has had a lasting impact on the region’s historical consciousness, as well as on the appropriation of figures and symbols essential to national identity. Notably, this standardization of Morocco’s name fostered, in the collective imagination, a centralization of historical narratives that sometimes overshadowed or diminished the contributions of other Maghreb nations, particularly Algeria. This phenomenon has given rise to tensions regarding historical interpretation and the claim to influential figures su...

France, once a key global power, now faces a harsh reality: its influence in Africa has collapsed. Expelled from multiple African countries under humiliating circumstances, it has lost access to strategic resources and the economic advantages it once derived from its former colonies. Military bases have been dismantled, French companies have seen their privileges reduced, and exports to Africa have plummeted due to new taxes and restrictions. This forced retreat has triggered a deep crisis in Paris. The French economy, which long benefited from exploiting Africa’s wealth, is now faltering under this new reality. Diplomatically, the situation is no better. Some European Union member states are even questioning France’s status as a major power, suggesting that its permanent seat on the UN Security Council could be transferred to Germany. In an attempt to recover, Paris is desperately seeking to reposition itself. One of its strategies involves forming a strategic alliance with Morocco ...

The book Les Scénarios noirs de l’armée française by Alexandra Saviana presents a series of hypotheses about potential conflicts involving France and its neighbors by 2030. Among these scenarios, one of the most striking concerns a supposed war between Algeria and Morocco in August 2025, just before the major Franco-Moroccan military exercises "Chergui 2025" scheduled for September. This highly speculative vision falls within a tradition of alarmist narratives often disconnected from the military and strategic realities of the region. A biased view of the Algerian-Moroccan balance of power One of the book’s scenarios describes an alleged Algerian offensive on Oujda, which would result in a "resounding" failure for Algeria. This hypothesis is based on a flawed perception of the military balance between the two countries. The Algerian army: a vastly superior force Contrary to the book’s implications, Algeria possesses one of the most powerful armies in Africa and...

Morocco’s acquisition of AH-64E Apache helicopters has been widely publicized, with some Moroccan sources claiming that this deal provides a strategic advantage over Algeria. However, a deeper military analysis shows that these claims are exaggerated . Algeria has decades of experience operating attack helicopters and possesses a well-established fleet, including the Mi-28NE "Night Hunter" and modernized Mi-24s , giving it a clear numerical and tactical superiority in this domain. Combat Experience: An Irreplaceable Advantage In military evaluations, owning advanced weaponry is not enough —the most crucial factor is combat experience and operational mastery . Unlike Morocco, which is acquiring attack helicopters for the first time, Algeria has been operating them for over 40 years . Algeria has deployed Mi-24 "Hind" helicopters since the 1980s , gradually modernizing them, and later reinforced its fleet with Mi-28NE helicopters, deliveries of which began i...

There is a truth that Moroccan propaganda struggles to conceal: behind the façade of a supposedly "powerful" army, behind the grand declarations of a kingdom aspiring to strategic dominance, lies a far more inconvenient reality. For decades, Rabat has been tirelessly seeking allies to serve as crutches in its confrontation with Algeria — alternating between Israel, the United States, and more recently France — in a desperate attempt to compensate for its own structural weaknesses. One question arises: if the Moroccan army is truly the formidable force it claims to be, why does it need the support of other nations to carry out its belligerent ambitions? An Overrated Army, a Blatant Dependence Moroccan media, loyal to their triumphalist rhetoric, never miss an opportunity to praise the strength of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR). The acquisition of Israeli drones, the purchase of American F-16s, and the modernization of armored vehicles are all presented as undeniable proof of ...

Faithful to my principles, I have neither the habit of appropriating others’ ideas nor engaging in plagiarism. I must therefore clarify that the subject of this article is not the result of my own reflection but rather that of a dear friend, an expert in military and security affairs, with whom I recently had a discussion. As I do not have his permission to mention his name, I will respect his anonymity. Nevertheless, I extend my sincere gratitude to him for his unwavering patriotism and the sharpness of his analyses. I deeply regret that the political and military leaders of our country do not pay greater attention to such enlightened minds, whose counsel would be of inestimable value. For several decades, Morocco has carved out a unique position in the media and diplomatic war it wages against Algeria and the Polisario Front. At the crossroads of geopolitics and historical rivalries, Rabat has mastered the art of victimization and narrative manipulation, adopting the posture of a mod...