The UN Security Council’s backing of Morocco’s Western Sahara autonomy plan is hailed in Rabat as historic, while the Polisario Front and Algeria reject it, citing threats to Sahrawi self-determination.

Renewed international momentum is building toward resolving the Western Sahara conflict, with the UN urging Algeria’s greater engagement, the U.S. backing Morocco’s autonomy plan, and mounting diplomatic pressure isolating Algiers.

The U.S. Department of State has appointed Joshua Harris as its new chargé d’affaires in Baghdad at a sensitive time, as Washington begins withdrawing troops from Iraq while pressing the Iraqi government to dismantle the Popular Mobilization Forces and curb Iran’s influence.

Amid prolonged deadlock in the Maghreb region caused by a range of political and regional issues, a new initiative has been launched to revive the Maghreb Union project.

Morocco continues to secure backing from major powers for its autonomy plan to resolve the Western Sahara conflict—a cornerstone of its foreign policy—with the UK becoming the latest to join the U.S., Spain, and France in endorsing the proposal.