Deep Dive: Moroccan Scholar Releases Book on Spain-Algeria Alliance in Western Sahara

From a geopolitical perspective, the release of Samir Bennis's book highlights ongoing tensions in the Western Sahara dispute, where Morocco seeks to assert sovereignty over its southern territories, involving key actors like Spain, a former colonial power, and Algeria, which has strategic interests in regional influence and resource control. This analysis through the lenses of a Senior Geopolitical Analyst, International Affairs Correspondent, and Regional Intelligence Expert reveals how historical maneuvers from 1965-1979 underscore broader power dynamics in North Africa, including Spain's efforts to retain influence post-colonization and Algeria's role in supporting opposing claims, which affects cross-border stability and migration patterns. The cultural context of the Green March, a 1975 event symbolizing Moroccan national unity and resistance, provides essential background for understanding why this dispute persists, as it ties into Berber and Arab identities in the region and influences diplomatic relations beyond Africa, such as with European nations. Examining the implications, this book underscores why the Western Sahara issue matters globally, as it involves strategic interests in phosphate resources and fishing rights that could impact international trade and humanitarian crises in the Sahel. Cross-border effects extend to Europe and the Middle East, where Spain's historical ties and Algeria's alliances with groups like the Polisario Front could alter migration flows and diplomatic alignments, affecting nations like France and the United States that have stakes in regional security. Through a nuanced lens, the narrative avoids simplistic villainization by emphasizing overlooked primary documents, revealing how colonial legacies continue to shape modern conflicts and why resolving such disputes requires balancing historical grievances with current geopolitical realities. In providing geographic context, the Western Sahara region in North Africa serves as a flashpoint for why events like those described persist, rooted in the cultural histories of indigenous Sahrawi populations and Morocco's integration efforts, which influence broader African Union dynamics and international law interpretations.