Algeria Bolsters Military Might Amid Rising Regional Tensions

In the editorial of its El Djeïch magazine, the Algerian Ministry of Defense indicated that it is "relentlessly strengthening and developing its defense capabilities, and building a strong and feared army", stressing that this choice "stems from Algeria’s awareness of the magnitude of the current and future challenges to be met in a world plagued by many turbulences and tensions, in an international and regional context marked by instability and insecurity".

The ministry also highlighted Algeria’s "active diplomacy", aimed at "restoring political and security stability in its unstable and unpredictable neighborhood; and this, in accordance with its fundamental principles based on good neighborliness, the rejection of interference in the internal affairs of States, respect for their national sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the peaceful resolution of conflicts and crises, by favoring dialogue and negotiation, and rejecting the logic of force".

In a statement to Hespress, Algerian opponent Chawki Benzehra affirmed that "the regime in place in Algeria has intensified its bellicose rhetoric in recent years, particularly against the Kingdom of Morocco, which it accuses of seeking to destabilize the Algerian state and compromise its national security", stressing that "the discourse of Algerian political and military officials is marked by exaggeration and dramatization, in order to arouse a sense of patriotism and divert the attention of citizens from the real crises they are experiencing".

And to continue: "Alluding to a possible war with Morocco, claiming that this requires increased armament and vigilance, or talking about alleged external conspiracies, aims to create a climate of fear within the country, and to encourage citizens to rally behind the power in its choices and policies; however, this does not necessarily reflect a real willingness to confront, but rather serves to fuel the sense of external threat and maintain internal control through a security grip, under the pretext of a sensitive regional situation".

Jawad Kassimi, a researcher in international relations and international law, said for his part that "the discourse of the Algerian Ministry of Defense is part of a tense regional and international context, where the Algerian state faces a series of challenges, particularly in its relations with neighboring countries, such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, tensions that have led to a breakdown of relations, and is trying to strengthen its regional position".

The researcher in international relations and international law also specified that "this Algerian discourse can be explained by the dominance of an Algerian military elite imbued with a geopolitical vision inherited from the Cold War, which considers this discourse the most appropriate, instead of developing a new approach to meet contemporary challenges; which leaves Algerian diplomacy without a renewed strategic vision, able to defend its real interests".