Algeria's ideological shift: A fierce critique of Washington

Monday 07 April 2025 - 11:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Algeria's ideological shift: A fierce critique of Washington

In a move that underscores the ideological and political direction of the Algerian regime, journalist Abdelhamid Othmani—known for his close ties to the decision-making circles of El Mouradia and his connections with Boualem Boualem, the architect of Algeria's foreign and domestic policy—has published an extensive article in the government-run newspaper Echorouk.

This piece transcends conventional journalistic opinion, aligning seamlessly with the current political climate in Algeria. Othmani adopts a vehement and incendiary tone, openly attacking the United States, labeling it as the "largest rogue state in contemporary history." He calls for resistance against U.S. influence and a confrontation with its global dominance.

Remarkably, Othmani even advocates for popular uprisings against American embassies, employing rhetoric of rare intensity, particularly within Algeria’s pro-government media landscape. This shift in discourse signifies a new direction in Algerian foreign policy, moving away from diplomatic neutrality toward a stance of "resistance." Symbolically, Algeria aligns itself with the narratives of Tehran and Moscow, positioning itself against Western hegemony, specifically targeting Washington.

The regional context, marked by the ongoing war in Gaza, amplifies the significance of this message. Algeria openly supports Hamas, holding Washington accountable for its media coverage of atrocities against Palestinians. In his article, Othmani not only condemns American imperialism but also portrays the U.S. as the architect of wars, coups, and chaos worldwide—from Afghanistan and Iraq to Palestine and Latin America—accusing it of fostering terrorism in pursuit of strategic interests.

This decidedly hostile tone reflects a profound evolution in Algerian foreign policy observed in recent years. Algeria is gradually distancing itself from Western capitals to foster closer ties with Iran and China. Articles like Othmani's, penned by writers close to the regime, aim to prepare public opinion for this shift and legitimize it by framing the U.S. as an absolute enemy devoid of legitimacy.

By wholeheartedly adopting the rhetorical codes of Iranian discourse and calling for a multipolar world order, Othmani emerges more as a mouthpiece for the Algerian regime's directives than as an independent journalist. The timing of this publication, just months after the aggression in Gaza and amid growing criticism of Washington, is no coincidence. It reflects a desire to leverage the humanitarian dimensions of the conflict to advance a political agenda that breaks with the West, in line with the regime's ambitions to reposition itself within new geopolitical alliances.

Thus, Othmani's article, with its ideological content and explicit hostility toward the United States, serves as a media showcase for an undeclared yet palpable political line present in Algeria's upper echelons of power. When a journalist so closely aligned with the presidency expresses such clarity, the message transcends personal opinion; it signifies an implicit declaration reflecting state orientations and revealing future ambitions in a rapidly changing global power landscape.