The Sino-Moroccan Rapprochement

 The Torino World Affairs Institute published in 2026 a study titled "The Sino-Moroccan Rapprochement: An Analysis of Geoeconomic Convergence, Diplomatic Calibration and Media Narratives in a Changing Maghreb" by Bianca Pasquier and Imane Ezzehouany, edited by Amanda Chen and Leonardo Bruni.  

The study concludes that by deepening its engagement with China, Morocco is reengineering its agency and room for maneuver while maintaining its traditional ties with the United States and Europe.  China's economic presence in the Kingdom, albeit still limited compared to European and Gulf partners in overall investment terms, has rapidly expanded in industrial sectors critical for the green transition and the restructuring of global value chains.  

China Walks Delicate Line on Western Sahara Dispute

 Modern Diplomacy published on18 July 2025 an analysis titled "The Chinese Stance on the Moroccan Sahara Shifts from Neutrality to Subtle Backing of Sovereignty" by Jamal Laadam.

As China weighs its relations with Morocco and Algeria, its approach to the Moroccan Sahara issue is marked by "thought-out neutrality," balancing core principles of Chinese foreign policy with increasing strategic interests in Morocco.

Western Sahara Podcast

China Radio International asked me to join Ayo Johnson, director of Viewpoint Africa in London, on 1 May 2013 in an hour long discussion of the Western Sahara issue.  The program covered the merits of Morocco's claims to the Western Sahara, the viability of an independent Saharan Arab Democratic Republic, the role of Algeria, concerns about human rights, the possible spread of terrorism from the Sahel region to the Western Sahara and the position of the United States and France.