# Algeria's New Regional Influence Bid > Algeria cuts UAE ties to reassert regional power after decades of isolation. - Title: Algeria's New Regional Influence Bid · Foreign Policy - Summary: Algeria cuts UAE ties to reassert regional power after decades of isolation. Algeria severed diplomatic relations with the UAE to reassert regional influence… - Keywords: algeria, uae, algerian foreign minister, abdelmadjid tebboune, western sahara, polisario front, united states, military, nato, brics, african union, united nations - Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/10/15/algeria-foreign-policy-uae-break-united-states-western-sahara-dispute-morocco-tebboune - Author: Sabina Henneberg - Published: 2026-10-15T00:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: algeria, uae, algerian foreign minister, abdelmadjid tebboune, western sahara, polisario front, united states, military, nato, brics, african union, united nations ## 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" ## Key takeaway Algeria severed diplomatic relations with the UAE to reassert regional influence following years of peripheral status.