Morocco

Economics

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Morocco revised its 2026 draft budget to increase healthcare and education spending to reach $15 billion, or approximately 10% of Morocco's gross domestic product, Reuters reported on Oct. 19, a day after Gen Z 212 protests resumed.

Morocco: Government Revises Budget To Appease Gen Z 212 Protesters

Thousands of young Moroccans took to the streets in numerous cities, including Rabat, Casablanca and Agadir, for a third consecutive day on Sept. 29 to protest dire economic conditions, Reuters reported on Sept. 30.

Morocco: Gen Z Protests Continue

France

Energy

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to conclude his three-day visit to Morocco on Oct. 30 after addressing Morocco's parliament on Oct. 29, France 24 reported on Oct. 29.

France, Morocco: Macron Concludes Visit to Morocco After Inking 22 Agreements

The Moroccan government announced a partial Cabinet reshuffle including the ministers of education, higher education, agriculture, health, and transport and logistics, Morocco World News reported on Oct. 23.

Morocco: Akhannouch Partially Reshuffles Moroccan Cabinet

Europe

The European Court of Justice, or ECJ, issued a final ruling invalidating the 2019 EU-Morocco trade deals on agriculture and fisheries, saying the European Commission had violated the self-determination rights of the indigenous Sahrawi people in Western Sahara by not including them in negotiations, Reuters reported on Oct. 4.

Morocco, Western Sahara, EU: European Court of Justice Invalidates 2019 EU-Morocco Trade Deals

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Social Issues

Science & Technology

According to data released by Morocco's Directorate General of Water Engineering, Morocco's dam levels have dropped below 28%, Hespress reported Aug. 13.

Morocco: Critical Dam Levels Lead to Water Rationing Measures

Algeria

Western Sahara

Algeria recalled its ambassador to France hours after the Moroccan Royal Palace released a statement saying France's recognition of its sovereignty claims over Western Sahara was a "significant development in support of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara," RFI reported July 30.

Algeria, France: Algeria Recalls Ambassador Over France's Western Sahara Stance

In a letter from French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco's King Mohamed VI, France recognized Morocco's sovereignty claims over the Western Sahara, writing, "For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue must be resolved," Reuters reported July 30.

Morocco, France, Algeria: France Recognizes Morocco's Sovereignty Claims Over Western Sahara

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As 2026 approaches, we look back at the previous year and consider the top five patterns and trends as measured by geopolitical impact.

2025: A Geopolitical Review

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A man rides past a roundabout adorned with Moroccan national flags in Laayoune, the main city of Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara, on Nov. 7, 2025.

Although Morocco's sovereignty plan is gaining momentum, the unresolved conflict will continue to complicate the region's development and fuel sporadic clashes.

U.N. Security Council Resolution Bolsters Morocco's Claims to Disputed Western Sahara

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Fire rages through the Singha Durbar, the main administrative building for the Nepal government, in Kathmandu on Sept. 9, 2025, after youth protesters set fire to the building. 

Recent events in Nepal, Madagascar and elsewhere show how digitally coordinated, leaderless protests can succeed, but eventually face even larger challenges in sustaining the momentum for change.

Worldwide Gen Z Protesters May Be Disappointed With Their Success

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Why are certain countries and regions more susceptible to youth protests?

Essential Geopolitics: Implications of the Growing Gen Z Protests in Africa

Demonstrators lift banners during a youth-led protest demanding reforms to public healthcare and education in Casablanca, Morocco, on Oct. 6, 2025.

The government will likely make some, mostly symbolic, concessions to the youth-led protest movement, which already appears to be weakening, but ongoing grievances related to economic inequality will sustain the risk of future mass protests.

Moroccans' Socioeconomic Grievances Will Persist, Even if Current Gen Z Protests Abate

On Geopolitics

Iraq

A mosque in March 2025 in Herat, Afghanistan. Whether Islamism revives as in the Levant, evolves pragmatically through parties with Islamic values as in Turkey, or changes beyond all recognition remains up in the air.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Whether Islamism revives as in the Levant, evolves pragmatically through parties with Islamic values as in Turkey, or changes beyond all recognition remains up in the air.

The Future of Islamism in the Middle East

A researcher from the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) examines crops in a cultivated field in Morocco on April 18, 2024.

Despite a temporary boost in crop yields from spring rainfall, Morocco's persistent drought and structural water shortages continue to threaten its agricultural sector, food security and economic stability ahead of the 2026 elections.

Rainfall Boosts Morocco's Crop Yields, But Long-Term Water Crisis Persists

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A Gabonese brigade participates in a training exercise as part of a military program linked to the Franco-Gabonese partnership at the French military base Camp de Gaulle in Libreville on March 19, 2025. 

France's reduced influence in Africa will create space for local and foreign actors to take on greater leadership roles, but their inability to fill the security vacuum left by France's withdrawal would threaten to destabilize the region.

France, Africa and the Future, Part 2: The Age of Multi-Alignment 

France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) meets with Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (R) at the Borgo Egnazia resort on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Savelletri, Italy, on June 13, 2024. 

A migration dispute between France and Algeria will likely lead to sanctions, trade restrictions and frozen energy deals amid broader disagreements over Western Sahara.


Divisions Between France and Algeria Deepen Over Migration Dispute

Libya

Egyptians protest in front of the Rafah border crossing, rejecting the proposed displacement of Palestinians in Gaza to Egypt and Jordan, on Jan. 31, 2025. 

Pro-Palestinian protests will persist regionwide amid allegations of Israeli ceasefire violations, but Morocco and Egypt will avoid taking action that could jeopardize their access to Israeli weapons and energy.

How Will North African Governments Respond to Ardent Pro-Palestinian Sentiment?

The Geopolitics of Water

North Africa will struggle to combat its worsening drought amid overconsumption, mismanagement and technological shortcomings.

The Geopolitics of Water: A Prolonged Drought Dries Up North Africa's Resources

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune meets with France's President Emmanuel Macron at the Borgo Egnazia resort on the sideline of the Group of Seven summit in Savelletri, Apulia region, Italy, on June 13, 2024.

Global Elections

The likely reelection of President Tebboune will yield a nationalist approach to foreign policy in the short term and additional economic reforms, though a growing internal debt burden will challenge economic growth.

Algeria's Political and Economic Course Seems Set as President Tebboune Readies Himself for Another Term

Morocco sits on the northwestern coast of Africa.  To the west is the Atlantic Ocean; to the north is Europe and Spain; to the east and south is Algeria and the Sahara Desert.  It is divided between three distinct geographic regions: the temperate plains and hills of the northern coast, the mountains and deserts of its south and and southeast, and the coastal deserts of its south.  It is bisected by the Atlas Mountains, which shield the coastlines from the desert climate of the interior.    Most of Morocco’s population lives near the coastlines of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, where the climate allows for agriculture, and where trading posts thrived off trade to and from Europe.  But Morocco also has access to phosphate deposits, an important ingredient in the development of fertilizer.  But several of these mines are in the disputed Western Sahara, which has declared an unrecognized independence from Morocco.    Because it partially sits on the Mediterranean, Morocco is exposed to influence and attack from other, more powerful Mediterranean states, especially European ones.  The Roman Empire, Spain, and France all occupied Morocco for long periods of time.  Today, Morocco sees a threat from neighboring Algeria, whom it sees as a rival attempting to influence and control Moroccan affairs.    It seeks to maintain security along its desert borders, while defending against Algeria.  It also seeks to gain access to the prosperity of Europe, while avoiding being controlled by European powers.  It also must contend with a changing climate, as the Sahara Desert moves northward.  Balancing these imperatives is the geographic challenge of Morocco.

SITUATION REPORTS

Morocco: Government Revises Budget To Appease Gen Z 212 Protesters

Morocco: Gen Z Protests Continue

France, Morocco: Macron Concludes Visit to Morocco After Inking 22 Agreements

Morocco: Akhannouch Partially Reshuffles Moroccan Cabinet

Morocco, Western Sahara, EU: European Court of Justice Invalidates 2019 EU-Morocco Trade Deals

Morocco: Critical Dam Levels Lead to Water Rationing Measures

Algeria, France: Algeria Recalls Ambassador Over France's Western Sahara Stance

Morocco, France, Algeria: France Recognizes Morocco's Sovereignty Claims Over Western Sahara

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