First Independent Mena Newspaper
The United States was preparing a major investment conference on Spain’s critical minerals but retracted after Madrid refused to support the American military operation against Iran, according press reports. Spain has refused to allow the U.S. to use the jointly run bases at Morón and Rotafor in the war against Iran, distancing itself from the […]
Morocco was the fourth‑largest African trade partner of the United States in 2025, with bilateral goods exchanges reaching $7.5 billion, even as Africa as a whole accounted for less than 1.5% of total US trade. Morocco’s exports to the United States totaled $1.96 billion, consisting mainly of fertilizers, semiconductors, textiles, agricultural products and vehicles, according […]
The US has reportedly invited the parties to the Sahara conflict to a new round of talks on Feb 23-24 to speed up a solution based on Morocco’s autonomy plan, Moroccan and Spanish media reported. The US has organized talks earlier this month in Madrid attended by UN envoy Stafan de Mistura and the main […]
The United States is gradually stiffening its stance toward the Polisario Front and its main backer Algeria, as congressional initiatives and diplomatic moves converge into a more assertive posture, according to developments outlined by lawmakers and officials. At the heart of the shift is a renewed legislative drive to compel the administration to formally review […]
The United States has opted to appoint a chargé d’affaires rather than a full ambassador to succeed Ambassador Elizabeth Aubin, a decision that sends a clear signal about the current state of bilateral relations between Washington and Algiers. Mark Schapiro, appointed by Trump, has been selected to head the US diplomatic mission in Algeria. He […]
A major diplomatic shift unfolded during the weekend in the long-stalled Sahara dispute, as Algeria takes part in multilateral negotiations in Madrid after years of refusing to sit at the same table as Morocco. The move marks a watershed moment for a country that has long claimed an observer status, while keeping generous support to […]
Morocco, Washington’s longstanding ally and strategic partner, will receive $20 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) in 2026, according to a Bill passed lately by the U.S. House of Representatives. The American FMF program provides financial support to friendly foreign governments to fund the purchase of American weapons, defense equipment, services and training. The goal is […]
The 250th anniversary of the historic friendship and alliance between Morocco and the United States was celebrated on Friday at the prestigious Trump Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during a magnificent evening featuring high-profile guests, inspiring cultural performances, and refined cuisine. This vibrant event, organized at the initiative of the Moroccan Embassy in Washington, brought […]
The Polisario Front has been forced back into diplomacy after the United States firmly reaffirmed that any political settlement of the regional Sahara dispute must take place exclusively within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, diplomatic sources said. A discreet Polisario delegation traveled to Washington between January 19 and 23 to participate in US-facilitated exploratory talks […]
The Algeria-backed Polisario separatist group has been hit with a harsh reality-check during a meeting held lately in Washington with U.S. officials who reaffirmed that Autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty is the ONLY offer on the table. Take it or face consequences! According to press reports citing sources close to the Polisario, the meeting was […]