Rabat – Algeria’s close ties with Russia are increasingly making the North African country a thorn in the eye of Western decision making, according to an analysis in the Washington Examiner.
“As Algeria has set its imperialist sights on Morocco, it has found itself increasingly isolated by the United States and the rest of Europe,” writes Zineb Riboua in the US publication.
Ribboua’s analysis highlights Algeria’s reluctance to supply gas to Europe, even following specific pleas from the US during a visit of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken this month.
The analysis points to the current push-and-pull between the US and Russia to convince Algiers to support its geopolitical priorities.
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If Algeria were to significantly boost gas exports to Europe, it could undermine Russia’s grip on the European energy market which continues to send roughly €1 billion to Russia every day for gas imports, according to EU top diplomat Josep Borell.
Ribboua points out that Algeria’s Western Sahara position has little to do with genuine ideals or concerns for regional stability and security. Algeria “does not only see these developments as national security threats but as the decrease of Algerian influence and the end of the dream project to one day have access to the Atlantic Ocean,” she points out before adding that “the result has been Algeria cozying up to Russia even more.”
“Russia views this conflict as advantageous to its greater interests and has worked to leverage the situation to maintain its power status in the region and maximize the damage it can inflict on Europe,” Ribboua argues. She points to Russia’s recent remarks in support of Algeria, which appeared to be a desperate attempt to retain its old ally through sheer rhetoric.
“Europe is now not only facing critical energy problems as it is actively trying to reduce its dependence on Russian gas but needs to deal with an unreliable, Russian-supported partner in Algeria, too,” the analysis highlights.
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Ribboua recognizes that Algiers has undermined its own strategic position vis-a-vis European gas needs while “the Algerian regime is keen on using energy threats and other tactics to achieve its goals in the Western Sahara.”
She urges Europe to reduce its dependency on Algerian gas amid vast domestic issues and internal power struggles in the North African country that are likely to lead to further instability and crisis.
“The speed at which Algeria is deteriorating,” she concludes, “should make the European Union raise its alarms. It should push countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Italy, which are still dependent on Algerian gas, to look for more reliable partners and explore other options.”
