ALGERIAN PATRIOTS - ENGLISH

The recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Algeria and the United States in the field of defense marks a significant development in the bilateral relations between the two countries. While the specific details of the agreement remain undisclosed, it is clear that the MoU aims to establish mechanisms for cooperation to bolster joint efforts in combating terrorism and drug trafficking in North Africa, particularly in the strategically important Sahel region. However, this rapprochement may raise concerns in Moscow, which has traditionally been a key partner for Algeria and could perceive this development as a shift in Algeria's strategic priorities. Strategic Context: Enhanced Military Cooperation As a regional power and a key player in combating insecurity in the Sahel, Algeria has historically relied on diverse military partnerships to maintain its strategic independence. The agreement with Washington fits into this framework, reflecting Algeria's desire to d...

Despite Algeria’s introduction of a visa requirement for Moroccan citizens in September of last year, estimates suggest that over one million undocumented Moroccan migrants remain in Algeria. This figure raises several critical questions: on the one hand, about the effectiveness of Algeria's migration policies, and on the other, about the security risks associated with this presence in the context of heightened tensions between the two Maghreb neighbors. A Context of Diplomatic Tensions and Cognitive Warfare Relations between Algeria and Morocco have deteriorated sharply in recent years, culminating in Algeria’s official severance of diplomatic ties with Morocco in 2021. Algeria has repeatedly accused Morocco of waging a “cognitive war” against it, through media propaganda and hostile actions, such as encouraging separatism in the Kabylie region and spearheading destabilization campaigns. Adding to this tense climate, French journalist Georges Malbrunot recently revealed allegation...

France's recent stance on the Western Sahara issue has ignited a political storm in the already fragile relations between Algiers and Paris. During a contentious address at the French National Assembly, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot defended the decision to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, while dismissing Algeria's reaction to this policy shift as "completely unjustified." According to him, Algeria is not directly concerned with the Western Sahara issue, and this French policy change has no impact on Algeria's interests. This statement, both irresponsible and factually incorrect, blatantly disregards the geopolitical and historical realities of the region. Rather than easing tensions, this unilateral move has deepened the divide between the two nations, further straining a relationship fraught with complex historical, strategic, and security-related stakes. A Shift Seen as a Provocation by Algeria For Algeria, the issue of Western Sahara is...

The recent visit of Nicolas Lerner, Director-General of the French Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), to Algiers comes at a critical juncture in Franco-Algerian relations. Following France's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara—a decision that sparked Algeria's ire and was perceived as an affront to its national security—many questions arise regarding Paris’s objectives. With security cooperation between the two countries suspended since last summer, this visit appears to be a calculated and strategic step in navigating these troubled waters. A Bilateral Relationship Under Strain France’s 2024 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara delivered a diplomatic blow to Algeria, which has long supported the Polisario Front and advocates for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. For Algeria, this issue is not just a matter of foreign policy but a national principle tied to its regional influence. Paris’s stance reinforced M...

The relationship between France and Algeria is marked by recurring tensions, reflecting a shared yet often contentious history. These tensions are particularly evident in the debates surrounding France's  French Development Agency (FDA) to Algeria. In the context of escalating diplomatic strains, some French officials, especially from the right and far-right political spectrum, have used this aid as a tool of leverage. However, a closer analysis of the figures and the utilization of this aid reveals a reality far removed from political rhetoric. Aid Considered Marginal by Algeria According to Algerian sources reported by various media outlets, French FDA provides little to no direct benefit to the Algerian state. In 2022, this aid amounted to €132 million , and over five years, it totaled approximately €600 million , according to a report published by France Info based on parliamentary findings. While these figures might appear substantial, the underlying details paint a dif...

The recent affair involving the French Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, and the failed attempt to deport an activist named "Boualem" to Algeria has made a mockery not of France, but of a minister obsessed with media spectacle. Behind fiery declarations and thinly veiled threats against Algeria lies a more embarrassing reality: a political and diplomatic failure orchestrated by a man seeking to capitalize on a delicate issue to attract attention. An "humiliation" that concerns only Retailleau Bruno Retailleau's narrative, framing this episode as an "insult to France," is more of a staged attempt to mask his own missteps. In truth, Algeria did not "humiliate France"; it simply refused to yield to a hasty and legally questionable move. The activist’s forced return to France, following a brief stay of just a few hours on the tarmac of Algiers airport, was the logical outcome of an unprepared and poorly executed unilateral decision. Wha...

Three Algerian influencers, prominent figures on social media, find themselves at the center of a judicial storm in France today. The pretext? Alleged illegal statements made on digital platforms. Yet, this case goes far beyond the mere application of the law: it exposes a dual-speed justice system, shameless political manipulation, and a clear intent to silence a constantly stigmatized community. Systematic Targeting of a Community Under Pressure For decades, the Algerian community in France has been scrutinized, dissected, and reduced to the role of scapegoats for French society’s problems. This obsession is no accident; it is the result of a carefully orchestrated strategy by political forces unable to address the economic and social crises plaguing the country. By designating the “Other”—in this case, Algerians—as responsible, these elites aim to divert citizens' attention from their own failures. Today, this stigmatization machine has become more sophisticated, finding a new a...