Algeria: a diplomatic turning point under pressure

An international context that has become restrictive:

The return of Donald Trump to the White House is profoundly reshaping international balances and imposing on Algeria a more demanding environment in which its room for maneuver is clearly shrinking as US policy shows explicit support for Morocco and establishes the autonomy plan as the central reference in the Western Sahara file which places Algiers under -dir-ect pressure to accept an unfavorable compromise while increasing its marginalization within the Security Council and weakening its traditional diplomatic levers

In this context several initiatives are emerging in the US Congress reinforcing this dynamic of constraint including proposals to designate the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization as well as calls to sanction Algeria because of its arms purchases from Russia which would expose the country to increased diplomatic isolation legal and financial restrictions and a weakening of its regional alliances

Growing tensions with US centers of influence

Algeria’s position during the Gaza war has contributed to intensifying tensions with certain circles of influence in Washington due to its active and outspoken positions within the Security Council which triggered hostile reactions in a context where the United States seeks to consolidate the Abraham Accords strengthen its alliances in the Middle East and North Africa and contain actors perceived as opposing this strategy which places Algeria in a defensive posture under growing political pressure

A strong signal of diplomatic caution

A recent episode clearly illustrates this shift involving Nicolá-;-s Maduro whose situation was closely followed by Algeria despite its historical ties with Caracas yet faced with this event the Algerian authorities chose to refrain from any marked public reaction revealing a willingness to avoid provoking the United States-limit- the risks of sanctions and preserve immediate interests which constitutes a notable break with a diplomatic tradition based on firm principled positions and reflects the emergence of a more cautious and pragmatic approach

Energy as a strategic lever

The war involving Iran is reshaping energy balances and increasing tensions in gas markets pushing European countries to seek reliable and geographically close suppliers which places Algeria at the center of the game due to its export capacities and proximity to Europe a situation that is concretely reflected in intensified diplomatic contacts through high level visits and initiatives including those of Giorgia Meloni as well as démarches by the Spanish foreign minister and signals sent by several European countries such as France Croatia Serbia and Slovenia which seek to secure their supplies and diversify their energy sources

Within this framework Algeria has a strategic lever that it is exploiting by strengthening its relations with Italy which is expected to play a central role as a gas hub for Southern Europe allowing Algeria to improve its negotiating conditions diversify its outlets and reinforce its political weight vis à vis the European -union- even though the latter maintains constant pressure through arbitration procedures related to trade restrictions and the implementation of the association agreement thus creating a more balanced power relationship in which Algiers combines constraints and opportunities

By refocusing its partnership with the European -union- Algeria seeks to reach a negotiated settlement outside arbitration based on a balance of interests and on taking into account the legitimate concerns of each party

A gradual adjustment of the Algerian posture

In this new environment Algeria is beginning to revise its traditional positions based on rigid principles which now appear unsuited to current realities as illustrated by its evolution regarding the war involving Iran where after an initial cautious reaction it now adopts a more explicit discourse describing Iranian actions against Arab countries as unacceptable thus marking a break with a posture of reserve and reflecting a willingness for strategic adjustment

A pragmatic recalibration with Europe

This movement also extends to relations with Europe where Algeria has finally agreed to initiate concrete cooperation with France Spain Switzerland and Belgium on migration issues particularly regarding the readmission of its nationals in irregular situations a taboo subject from Algiers’ perspective which for a long time fueled tensions due to Algeria’s refusal to cooperate effectively causing diplomatic deadlock a deterioration of bilateral dialogue and a weakening of relations with the European -union- whereas a shift is now perceptible through the resumption of operational dialogue the search for concrete agreements and a willingness to stabilize relations

With Belgium Minister Attaf agreed to sign two agreements with his Belgian counterpart one concerning the readmission of expelled Algerian nationals and the other concerning visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and service passports by linking an advantage reserved for an elite category to this cooperation on the expulsion of unwanted Algerians in the kingdom this conditional approach does not clearly benefit the Algerian community residing in the country which often lacks the means to assert its rights particularly through legal remedies provided by Belgian law

Conclusion a turning point dictated by the balance of power

All these developments reflect a forced and resigned strategic adjustment in which Algeria is gradually moving away from a rigid posture to adopt a more pragmatic approach dictated by the international balance of power a change that does not stem from an ideological choice but from an adaptation to strong and immediate external constraints marking the entry of Algerian diplomacy into a phase where the defense of -dir-ect interests and the management of balances take precedence over principled positions

A clear sign of this turning point

The Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs no longer publicly raises the issue of Western Sahara with his European partners as shown in his recent exchanges with his Spanish Croatian and Belgian counterparts

This silence reflects a clear reality Algiers is observing a loss of support within the European -union- which is largely aligned with the orientations stemming from Security Council Resolution 2797

Moreover Algeria is noting with concern the political pressure from the US administration aimed at reducing the size and role of MINURSO under the pretext of rationalizing the costs of long and ineffective missions this is part of the growing pressure exerted on Algiers and the Polisario Front to accelerate a political solution the likely refocusing of MINURSO which could lose between twenty five and thirty percent of its personnel risks reducing UN visibility and increasing the likelihood of local incidents

During her recent visit to Algiers Giorgia Meloni adopted a cautious approach on this issue seeking to reconcile energy engagement with Algeria and the common position of the European -union- on the matter

For his part the Algerian president chose not to publicly reiterate the usual rhetoric on this issue clearly in order to preserve a favorable climate with Rome and other European partners

Rabah Benmansour
31 March 2026

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