This article was published for MEE Discover https://www.middleeasteye.net/discover/afcon-algeria-unbeaten-run-ended-pillars-success-remain When the Algerian national football team lifted Fifa’s inaugural Arab Cup in December, it felt like a safe bet that the desert foxes (or Fennecs) would successfully defend their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title in the following months. As the tournament…

Why the closure of Algeria's gas pipeline to Morocco will prove costly for all After 25 years, the Maghreb Europe Gas pipeline (GME) has had its operations suspended after Algeria's decision last…english.alaraby.co.uk After 25 years, the Maghreb Europe Gas pipeline (GME) has had its operations suspended after Algeria’s decision last month to end its contract following the rupture in relations with neighbour Morocco.

This story was published on MEE Discover https://www.middleeasteye.net/discover/who-are-harkis-algerians-who-fought-against-independence The term “Harki” is not widely known in the Anglosphere, but in France and North Africa it is a word loaded with controversy. From the Arabic word Harka, meaning movement, it is used to describe Algerian Muslims who remained loyal to France…

This article was first published on The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy https://timep.org/commentary/analysis/how-the-tragic-algeria-wildfires-illuminate-state-deficiencies/ Wildfires during the summer in Algeria are commonplace, with thousands of hectares lost annually as temperatures soar in the Mediterranean. However the more than 70 fires that began on August 9 and devastated the northern Kabylia…

This story was first published in The New Arab https://english.alaraby.co.uk/analysis/moroccos-politics-monarchy-reigns-supreme Earlier this month, the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) suffered a crushing defeat in parliamentary elections in Morocco to the National Rally of Independents (RNI) led by a wealthy oil importer close to the monarchy. The PJD secured only…

This story was first published here https://english.alaraby.co.uk/analysis/whats-driving-crisis-between-algeria-and-morocco Less than a week after the Algerian High Security Council announced that it would “review” its relations with Rabat and intensify “security controls” along its border, Algeria has cut off diplomatic relations with Morocco. Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra on Tuesday criticised Rabat…

This story was published on The New Arab https://english.alaraby.co.uk/opinion/why-algerias-problems-wont-be-solved-ballot-box On June 12 polls will open for Algerians to cast their vote in legislative elections which the regime hailed on Thursday as a “new era” for the country, free of the dirty money that has dogged Algerian politics for decades. The…

This piece was originally published at https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/mesut-ozil-turkey-fenerbahce-politicised-playmaker “I have two hearts. One German and one Turkish,” footballer Mesut Ozil said in 2018, when he announced he had ended his international career with the German national team. After agreeing to join Turkish football club Fenerbahce after almost eight years at Arsenal, it appears one of those hearts is…

This article was first published on Middle East Eye https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/algeria-madame-maya-loses-appeal-hidden-daughter-bouteflika-zoulikha-chafika-nachinache An Algerian businesswoman, rumoured to be the “hidden daughter” of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, lost her appeal on Thursday against a 12-year prison sentence. Zoulikha-Chafika Nachinache, widely known as “Madame Maya”, had been imprisoned for money laundering “in the context…