ASSESSMENTS

A Moroccan Military Drive Puts Algeria on Alert

Feb 10, 2020 | 10:00 GMT

Military units from Western Sahara's military forces wait to begin maneuvers in Mehaires, Western Sahara, on Jan. 6, 2019. Morocco controls most of the territory, which has received support from Algeria amid the two countries' battle for regional dominance.

(STEFANO MONTESI/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Highlights

Striving to reduce its security dependence on allies, an increasingly confident Morocco will continue its push to bolster its military in pursuit of regional dominance.
Economic headwinds and other distractions have created an opening for Morocco, but it will struggle to displace Algeria, the region's traditional military heavyweight.
Morocco's military buildup will likely lead Algeria to take steps to stay ahead, igniting an arms race that will inhibit a diplomatic breakthrough and foster further hostile policies against the other.

For years, Algeria has ruled the roost in the Maghreb, marshaling its underground riches to build the most powerful military in the region. Increasingly, however, it's facing a challenge from its long-time rival to the west, Morocco, which is hoping to capitalize on its neighbor's unrest to grab the mantle of regional supremacy. But Morocco's concerted effort to displace Algeria as the lead military power in the region isn't without risk, as it could inflame the underlying tensions between the neighbors, further stoking regional instability....

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