From Foreign Policy · Sabina Henneberg · · 2m
Algeria's New Regional Influence Bid
Algeria cuts UAE ties to reassert regional power after decades of isolation.
In brief
Algeria cuts UAE ties to reassert regional power after decades of isolation. Algeria severed diplomatic relations with the UAE to reassert regional influence following years of peripheral status. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
Diplomatic Split with UAE
Algeria severed diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates last month.
“The ministry did not cite a specific reason for the split”
Algeria's Foreign Policy Shift
Algeria's leadership since 2019 has pursued assertive foreign policy to reclaim regional influence.
“By pursuing foreign partnerships, recalibrating its relations with Washington and Moscow, and taking a decisive stance against Abu Dhabi”
Historical Context
Algiers previously mediated regional conflicts but saw its role decline due to civil war and Bouteflika's health.
“Algiers long prided itself on being a mediator in the region but saw that role decline in recent decades on account of the country’s 1992-2002 civil war and the declining health of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika”
President Tebboune's Leadership
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has advanced a vision of economic self-reliance through domestic industry.
“Tebboune has advanced a vision of a "new Algeria" built around a more diversified, and therefore self-reliant, economy”
Economic Diversification Efforts
Algeria now produces medicine domestically and exports to Africa, reducing foreign dependency.
“Algeria now mostly produces at home and has even begun exporting elsewhere in Africa”
International Institutional Involvement
Algeria gained seats on African Union Peace and Security Council and U.N. Security Council in 2024-2025.
“won a three-year seat on the African Union Peace and Security Council and served a two-year term on the U.N. Security Council in 2024 and 2025”
U.S. Commercial Partnerships
Algeria secured a deal to import 30,000 cows from the United States for a dairy farm in southern Algeria.
“In April, Algeria secured a much-touted deal to import 30,000 cows from the United States for a massive dairy farm in Algeria’s south”
Energy Sector Ties
The United States invests heavily in Algeria’s oil and gas sector through pending agreements with Chevron and ExxonMobil.
“Two pending agreements with Chevron and ExxonMobil to tap Algeria’s vast natural gas reserves”
Algeria's Stance on Western Sahara
Algeria supports Western Sahara independence through the Polisario Front, opposing U.S. mediation efforts.
“Algeria has made it clear that it intends to secure its backyard”
U.S. Policy on Western Sahara
The United States seeks a Western Sahara autonomy solution under Moroccan sovereignty.
“Washington has made recent efforts to advance an alternative solution to the dispute, where Western Sahara would have autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty”
Algeria's Military Actions
Algeria deployed fighter jets to Niger in response to an attempted coup.
“In August, Tebboune sent four fighter jets to Niamey, Niger, in response to an attempted internal coup against the ruling junta there”
Algeria's Relations with Russia
Algeria maintains military equipment sales with Russia despite concerns about extremist activity.
“Algerian officials insist that their relations with Moscow focus on military equipment sales, as Algeria remains one of Russia’s largest buyers of military equipment”
UAE's Regional Role
The UAE funds armed groups in Sudan, Libya, and other conflicts to advance its interests.
“Abu Dhabi has been exacerbating conflicts in Sudan, Libya, and elsewhere by funding or directly sending weapons, mercenaries, and other supplies to armed groups”
Algeria's Domestic Pressures
Severing ties with UAE addresses public frustrations over French and Israeli relations.
“Abu Dhabi maintains close relationships with France and Israel, two countries toward which many Algerians harbor a sense of anger and injustice”
U.S. and Algeria's Strategic Balance
The United States balances relations with Morocco and Algeria without disrupting bilateral ties.
“Washington has made recent efforts to advance an alternative solution to the dispute, where Western Sahara would have autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty”
Next Steps for Western Sahara
The United States should support UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih's call for practical solutions for Sahrawi refugees.
“U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, who has called for "practical solutions that give Sahrawi refugees genuine agency over their future"”
What to remember
Algeria severed diplomatic relations with the UAE to reassert regional influence following years of peripheral status.
