Algeria and Morocco's $31.7 Billion Military Build-Up Reshapes North African Security
Fifteen years after NATO's intervention in Libya, North Africa is experiencing a significant military build-up led by Algeria and Morocco. These two countries have collectively spent $31.7 billion on defense in 2025, with Algeria accounting for the majority of the expenditure. This arms race is supported by both the United States and Russia, as Algeria and Morocco expand their military capabilities with advanced fighter jets and other military equipment. Algeria's military budget rose by 11% to $25.4 billion, making it the highest in Africa, while Morocco increased its defense spending by 6.6% to $6.3 billion. The military expansion is influenced by regional security concerns, including the Western Sahara dispute and the instability in Libya, which remains politically fragmented since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. 
