Hello ESTers, how have you been? 

This is the Observatory, and here is InsideMENA, the EST’s bimonthly newsletter that uncovers the latest news from the Middle East and North Africa touching upon the EU’s interests and beyond, as well as a light dose of culture pills you can find at the end.



And now, without further ado, let’s dive right InsideMENA!



Edited by Hafssa Fakher Elabiari and Sibilla Gosso



Note that the information, views and opinions set out in the newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of the editors, of the European Student ThinkTank, and of their affiliated-entities or institutions.







Diplomatic Realignment: US-Iran Dialogue Leaves Europe Behind

By Fatin

No Rome reset. High-level nuclear negotiations continue in secrecy, but diplomatic momentum has stalled, especially between Iran and the European trio of the UK, France, and Germany. A planned meeting between Iran and the E3 in Rome, scheduled for last Friday, was quietly cancelled. Days later, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi spoke with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, reaffirming Tehran’s openness to talks via the European Union or directly with the E3. Still, the absence of a new date highlights the fragile political relationship between the two sides.



Strained ties. Behind the scenes, relations between Tehran and European capitals are increasingly tense. European diplomats are becoming more assertive, linking Iran’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine to broader security concerns. While Iranian officials reiterate their willingness to engage, the E3 is reportedly considering the activation of the JCPOA’s “snapback mechanism,” a procedure that would reimpose UN sanctions if Iran is found noncompliant. The threat of this move, even if not yet initiated, casts a long shadow over any remaining trust.



Soon a 4th IRI–US round of talks.Meanwhile, talks between Tehran and Washington are progressing, leaving Europe largely on the sidelines. Through Omani mediation, Iran and the Trump administration have held three rounds of indirect nuclear talks, with a fourth reportedly imminent. President Trump, for his part, has adopted a tough public stance, calling for the “total dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear program. Yet contradictions remain in his words as he has also suggested that a deal could allow Iran limited nuclear energy capabilities.



A fragile balancing act. Iran insists that its nuclear program is peaceful and that enrichment is a non-negotiable sovereign right, rejecting calls for dismantlement. While no doors have fully closed, the ongoing diplomatic path looks fragile. With the E3 now on the margins, the centre of gravity has clearly shifted to Washington and Tehran. Whether this leads to a breakthrough or just more delay remains to be seen.





Mapping the Ongoing Deadlock in French-Algerian Relations

By Alicia

One year of escalating tensions.Since Algeria’s independence from France in 1962, relations between the two countries have not always been smooth. Over the past year, however, diplomatic hostilities reached a new low. In July 2024, France took a provocative step by supporting Morocco’s controversial autonomy plan for Western Sahara. Algeria, a key ally of the Sahrawi Polisario Front, responded swiftly by withdrawing its ambassador to Paris. Relations worsened further when Algeria detained and sentenced French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal on national security charges. This move prompted sharp criticism from France, which invoked its usual human rights rhetoric, something Algiers has long rejected as selective and meddling. Migration is also on the table: while France seeks to advance its priorities, Algeria remains reluctant to cooperate on the readmission of “unwanted” Algerian nationals.



Hopes for reconciliation dashed. French Foreign Minister Barrot’s early visit to Algiers ended with a promise to reset relations. But just days later, the arrest in Paris of three Algerian nationals – including a consular official – linked to the abduction of a regime critic reignited tension. The prominent men, who had obtained political asylum in France despite Algeria’s extradition efforts, triggered a swift response: Algiers expelled 12 French officials, which Paris replicated the following day.



What is next? French-Algerian relations are at a historic low, with potential fallout in key cooperation areas like migration, security, and energy. As Paris struggles with how to proceed, the EU is stepping in. Amid this crisis, on 21 April, the European Commission’s Director General for the MENA visited Algiers to reinforce ties under the framework of the New Pact for the Mediterranean. This move signals Brussels’ interest in preserving a strong relationship with Algeria, despite its mounting bilateral tensions with France.