The era of “both-sidesism” in the Maghreb is rapidly approaching its expiration date. For decades, the Western Sahara conflict has been treated by a cautious U.S. State Department and a fragmented United Nations as a balanced tug-of-war between Morocco and the Polisario Front, with Algeria masquerading as a mere “concerned neighbor.” This week’s high-level, discreet meetings at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid have shattered that illusion, marking a pivot toward a realism that Washington must now see through to its conclusion.
Algeria was forced to sit at the table not as an observer, but as a principal. This shift is a direct result of an “Israel Victory” style mindset adapted for the Maghreb.
The old diplomatic playbook was built on the fallacy of middle ground. By seeking a compromise between Moroccan sovereignty and the separatist fantasies of the Polisario, mediators essentially subsidized a permanent state of tension. This neutrality didn’t prevent conflict; it incentivized it. It allowed Algiers to host, arm, and diplomatically shield a militia while evading the accountability that comes with being a primary party to the dispute. In Madrid, the facade slipped. Under the direct supervision of President Trump’s senior advisor Massad Boulos and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz, the “Madrid Roadmap 2026” was forged. Most notably, Algeria was forced to sit at the table not as an observer, but as a principal. This shift is a direct result of an “Israel Victory” style mindset adapted for the Maghreb—the understanding that the conflict ends only when the aggressor accepts the reality of the victor’s sovereignty.
The Madrid talks centered on a new, 40-page expanded version of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan. This document is no longer a “proposal” to be haggled over; it is a technical blueprint for the finality of Moroccan rule. For the first time, the “Permanent Technical Committee” established in Madrid—comprising Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania—will begin discussing the granularities of taxation, local security, and judicial integration under the Moroccan flag. Yet, despite this progress, the risk of backsliding remains high if the U.S. returns to the “both sides” rhetoric of the past. Algeria remains the primary obstacle to Maghreb stability. Its support for the Polisario is not a humanitarian endeavor but a strategic tool to weaken Morocco and provide a Mediterranean foothold for anti-Western interests, including growing ties with Tehran and Moscow.
Algeria’s participation in Madrid was a result of intense pressure, including the looming threat of sanctions related to its military ties with Russia and Iran.
The Trump administration has a historic opportunity to end this “frozen” conflict by ditching the remaining vestiges of State Department hesitation. The Madrid Roadmap sets a round of talks in Washington for later this spring. This should not be a venue for further “consultation,” but a ceremony of conclusion. To ensure the success of the 2026 Roadmap, U.S. policy must reflect hard realities. Sovereignty must be the starting point, making it clear that Morocco’s updated plan is the only document on the table. The era of debating “referendums” is over. Furthermore, Washington must enforce accountability for Algiers. Algeria’s participation in Madrid was a result of intense pressure, including the looming threat of sanctions related to its military ties with Russia and Iran. Washington must make it clear that a return to regional destabilization will trigger immediate, targeted sanctions. Finally, the Polisario Front must be dismantled as a relic of the Cold War, with the U.S. leading an international effort to integrate the Tindouf residents into Morocco under the new autonomy framework.
The “Madrid Secret” is out: stability in North Africa is possible only when the U.S. stops mediating a dispute and starts enforcing a solution. By doubling down on the Moroccan Autonomy Plan and treating Algeria as the primary antagonist it has always been, the Trump administration can secure a strategic victory that has eluded the West for fifty years.
