Pipeline politics: Algeria, Italy and the great game in North Africa
“In the turbulent waters of the Mediterranean Sea, where the geopolitical shocks of the last few years are driving significant changes, the partnership between Algeria and Italy has remained consistent, in spite of the adversities. Significantly reinforced after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, bilateral ties between Algiers and Rome are certainly motivated by pipeline politics, which have pushed Italian governments of different political orientation to diversify energy supplies away from Russia. Given its geographical location, Italy has carefully recalibrated its policy with a renewed attention to North Africa, in particular, and the African continent in general, epitomised by the renowned Piano Mattei (Mattei Plan) for Africa that includes Algeria as a key partner. On the other hand, warm ties with Rome have provided Algeria with a renewed opportunity to market its oil and gas resources to the West, reinforcing its traditional non-aligned stance in diplomacy despite the strategic partnership with Moscow. A win-win situation in an increasingly fragmented region, where growing polarisation has sidelined traditional actors such as France, due to the stiff competition with Italy in the Maghreb and the zero-sum game going on between Algeria and Morocco, particularly on the Western Sahara conflict…”
