The ChinaMed Project published on 10 November 2025 a commentary titled "Mediterranean Anxieties over the Sino-Moroccan Rapprochement: French, Algerian, and Tunisian Media Perspectives" by Bianca Pasquier.
The Sino-Moroccan entente has underscored China's increasingly delicate balancing act between Algeria and Morocco. It has also triggered challenges for French policy, caused a growing sense of isolation in Algiers, and may be encouraging Tunisians to emulate Morocco's success with China.
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published on 2 December 2024 a study titled "Russia in the Middle East and North Africa: Arms, Power Projection, and Nuclear Diplomacy" edited by Amr Hamzawy.
The study contains the following chapters:
Introduction - Russia in the Middle East and North Africa--Disrupting Washington's Influence and Redefining Moscow's Global Role by Amr Hamzawy.
1. The Soviet Roots of Putin's Foreign Policy Toward the Middle East by Mark N. Katz.
2. Russia's Balancing Act in the Levant by Maha Yahya and Mohanad Hage Ali.
3. Soviet and Russian Policies Toward Egypt: Two Snapshots by Amr Hamzawy and Rain Ji.
4. A Mixed Balance Sheet: Russia's Uneven Influence in the Maghreb by Frederic Wehrey.
5. Autocrats United: How Russia and Iran Defy the U.S.-led Global Order by Nicole Grajewski and Karim Sadjadpour.
6. China and Russia in the Gulf: A Cacophony of Influence and Interest by Robert Mogielnicki.
7, Turkiye and Russia: An Unequal Partnership by Sinan Ulgen.
8. Russia's Enduring Presence in the Middle East by Eugene Rumer and Andrew S. Weiss.
9. Russia's Great Energy Game in the Middle East by Sergey Vakulenko.
The Madrid-based Elcano Royal Institute published on 30 June 2023 an analysis titled "China in the Maghreb: Engagement, Perceptions and Prospects" by Tin Hinane El Kadi, London School of Economics and Political Science.
Since the beginning of this century China has significantly increased its economic and political engagement in the Maghreb, although there are unequal trade patterns and investment remains minimal. Nevertheless, China provides an opportunity for the Maghreb to expand and modernize its domestic infrastructure, while reducing its reliance on the West.
The European Union Institute for Security Studies published in March 2023 a paper titled "Footprints in the Sand: China's and India's Low-key but Growing Presence in the Maghreb" by Dalia Ghanem.
The paper compares the impact of China, India and the European Union in the Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia). The footprint of both China and India in the Maghreb remains limited. The EU has a more multifaceted relationship with the region. Yet, both China and India recognize the significance of the Maghreb as the gateway to the Mediterranean and both are expanding their economic presence.
Eurasia Review published on 11 February 2022 an interview titled "Russia-Maghreb: What Future?" Kester Kenn Klomegah interviewed Chtatou Mohamed, International University of Rabat.
Mohamed concluded that the Maghreb is not a fundamental interest for Russia, but rather a source of economic and political opportunities. For their part, countries in the Maghreb are willing to take advantage of opportunities offered by Russia while remaining politically unaligned. There may be an emerging Russia-China alliance in the region.
The American Foreign Policy Council posted on 30 April 2021 a commentary titled "North Africa Is Becoming a New Frontier for U.S.-China Competition" by Ilan Berman.
Morocco's Tanger-Med port facility in which China Merchants Ports Holding has a 20 percent equity investment has brought great power competition to the Maghreb. Morocco's close ties to the West are being challenged as China increases its economic interaction with countries such as Morocco.
The Middle East Institute published on 23 February 2021 an analysis titled "Chinese Health Diplomacy and the Maghreb in the COVID-19 Era" by Mordechai Chaziza.
The author summarizes how China has used the donation of COVID-19 vaccine and medical supplies to enhance its relations with the countries in the Maghreb.
The Middle East Institute published on 22 December 2020 an analysis titled "China's Libya Policy and the BRI: Sights Set on the Future" by Mordechai Chaziza, Ashkelon Academic College, Israel.
The author concludes that in an effort to advance its Belt and Road Initiative, China is moving from a neutral position in Libya to one of greater prominence.
The Middle East Institute published on 22 December 2020 an analysis titled "China's Libya Policy and the BRI: Sights Set on the Future" by Mordechai Chaziza.
Officially, China supports the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya. Chinese diplomats meet with GNA officials while keeping economic channels open but they are careful not to burn bridges with the opposition Libya National Army led by Khalifa Haftar.
The Began-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies published on 4 August 2020 a commentary titled "The New Silk Road and the Maghreb Region" by Mordechai Chaziza, Ashkelon Academic College in Israel.
Since the 2013 launch of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing has shown great interest in the Maghreb region as an entry point to European and African markets. While China is gaining a foothold in the Maghreb, it cannot match US or European dominance in the region.
