United States Security/Military Ties to the Maghreb:

Abstract

This research work examines the US security and military ties to the Maghreb countries specifically with Algeria and Morocco before and after the 9/11 events. Its main concern is to investigate how the US foreign policy shifts its interests to the Maghreb region since it was for many decades marginal to its policy and it fell under Europe’s zone of influence, France’s particularly. However, after the 9/11 events, the United States started to recognize the strategic importance of the Maghreb region and showed greater interests in many fields, specially the military ones. A significant shift in the relations of the US with the countries of the Maghreb, as it drew up its new strategies to combat terrorism. Also, prevent its spread on the region by establishing military and strategic ties including the military command AFRICOM, in addition to the other initiatives and strategic dialogues especially with Algeria and Morocco, which are the two dominant nations in the entire region. Those ties also witnessed economic efforts such as trade and investments for mutual benefit. Those military ties instead of bringing stability to the region, it enhanced the terrorist threats and domestic conflicts within the country or even the regional conflicts, which resulted in an antagonism between Algeria and Morocco, enhancing both US and Israel’s influence in the region, which would put the region in a critical situation.