EU-Morocco Partnership: the (not so much) golden years?

By Pablo

Brussels and Rabat on the phone. On April 3^rd, Josep Borrell Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita discussed regional matters and EU-Morocco bilateral relations. “More crucial than ever”: with these words, the EU diplomatic leader highlighted the centrality of bilateral cooperation. But this phone conversation does not reveal much new: since June 2019, when Morocco and the EU launched the “Euro-Moroccan Partnership for Shared Prosperity”, Borrell and Bourita have met consistently, showing that the Brussels-Rabat friendship is like no other. But are we missing something?



Is Europe losing ground? For some commentators, this just shows how fragile the EU-Morocco relationship is. Once dependent on trade with the EU, Morocco is now gradually decoupling (i.e. gradually reducing its trade balance in favour of other partners such as China On the flip side, Europe is becoming more dependent on Moroccan exports, primarily fruit and vegetables, as well as phosphate, which in turn have created a tense atmosphere in Europe. Do you remember the tractor parades in front of the European Parliament?



Not at first glance: despite apparent cordiality and patterns of cooperation - many tbh, see the prominent role Morocco could play in REPowerEU and clean energy imports, and don’t forget the launch of the first Green Partnership ahead of COP27- the Western Sahara dispute has caused unimaginable headaches for Brussels. While the Commission has implicitly supported the claims of the Kingdom over the Western Sahara, the European Parliament, via some political groups, and the European Court of Justice, have systematically taken down these attempts.





Israel's Bold Move in Damascus Sparks Tensions
By Fatin

Israel's recent attack on Iran's consulate in Damascus marked a crucial moment with no turning back for the Islamic Republic, prompting the Supreme Leader, Khamenei, to vow vengeance against Israel. The attack claimed the lives of at least 13 individuals, including 7 military officers and senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Among them: Zahedi, a former leader of the Quds Force - the branch of the IRGC operating abroad - in Syria and Lebanon.



Multiple offensives but this one beats them all: This is not the first time Israel attacked Iran, as it has long directed its strikes towards Iran's military set-ups in Syria. But this is different: this is the first time Israel targeted the embassy compound itself. This adds to Israel’s fight against Hamas and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as strikes on Iranian targets within Syria.



Escalating tensions intensify… Israel now moved up the escalation ladder as Iran's Foreign Ministry, led by Nasser Kanani, seems ready to unleash a decisive response hugely supported by the hardliners. In addition: during his traditional Eid Al Fitr sermon, Iran's supreme leader Khamenei reiterated threats of retaliation following the attack on the Consulate. In response, Israel's foreign minister declared the country's readiness to respond with force to any attack on its territories.





The electorate knocks Erdoğan’s AKP out

By Hafssa

The thriller is finally over. On March 31^st, the Turkish Republican People’s Party (CHP) amassed 37.77% of votes, pushing the AKP to the sidelines, and dissolving Erdoğan’s dreams of restoring control over large cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir. This stunning victory, the first since 1977, comes at a delicate juncture: a fragmented opposition bloc, a new (and younger) figure at the CHP leadership, and a polarised electorate.



Take nothing for granted. The AKP’s victory in last year’s presidential and parliamentary elections bolstered its confidence. But as the wise say, what goes around comes around. Soaring inflation, coupled with Ankara’s ambivalence towards Israel, alienated many usual AKP supporters. While some chose to stay home, others cast their vote for the Islamist New Welfare Party (YRP), eroding Erdoğan's Islamist exclusivity. This new behaviour accounts in part for the low voter turnout (78.50%) ever recorded since 2004.



Controversy is a must-have. In the eastern municipality of Van, pro-Kurdish Abdullah Zeydan was elected mayor after securing 55% of votes. But as the AKP was not happy with the results, it did not recognise Zeydan’s victory, citing a court ruling, and replacing him with an AKP protégé that only received 27.15% of votes. It took angry protests and a final say from Türkiye’s top election body for the AKP to backpedal. If this incident indicates anything, it indicates that Turkish democracy has a long way to go. Erdoğan may emphasise the will of the people in his post-results speech, but the truth is that the minute democracy reaches southeastern provinces, and it makes a U-turn.



Now, a bit of culture...

In this section, we uncover some of the most listened-to and watched musicians, writers, or YouTubers of the MENA or new publications, articles, or books either from or on the region. If you have any suggestions, you’re always welcome to tell us via our email!



Dissecting the two ‘Sudans’. April 6th is entrenched in the history of Sudan as it embodies the revolutions that overthrew two dictators: Gaafar Nimeiri in 1985 and Omar al-Bashir in 2019. But those revolutions remain unfinished, and the country remains plagued by back-to-back conflicts. If you are curious to know why peace in Sudan is ephemeral, Sharath Srinivasan has got you covered! When Peace Kills Politics: International Intervention and Unending Wars in Sudan dissects Sudan and South Sudan with scepticism, presenting a just account of war and peace and revealing the pitfalls of external peacemaking. Whether you are a policymaker, an academic, an activist, or a student, Srinivasan’s work is a must-read.



A special announcement. On April 26^th-27^th and May 10^th-11^th, the European Student Think Tank is hosting its 2024 EST Academy under the theme: “OUR European Elections?” With EU elections approaching, the Academy will cover topics that matter to the EU, including migration, digital innovation, and green transition. All sessions will be held online, and participants will participate in engaging discussions with leading experts. Register today and don’t miss out on this opportunity!