Connectivity as Leverage: The Geopolitics of Airspace
THE CLAIM: Algerian state media, referencing the cancellation of the May 2013 air services agreement, attributes the decision to unexplained concerns, while Algerian media outlets openly accuse the UAE of attempting to 'sow regional discord.' THE EVIDENCE: The abrupt nature of this cancellation, signed in 2013 in Abu Dhabi, suggests a severe diplomatic breakdown. Air services agreements are
foundational for economic ties and travel, making their termination a significant escalatory step. While specific UAE actions were not detailed by Algerian state media, the broader regional context provides insight. The UAE has been consistently accused by various actors, including Algerian-aligned media, of interventionist policies across North Africa and the Sahel, particularly concerning Libya
and Sudan. For instance, the UAE's involvement in the Libyan conflict through supporting General Khalifa Haftar's forces (Human Rights Watch, 2020) runs counter to Algeria's preferred stability in its immediate neighbor. THE CONTRADICTIONS: The official silence on specific reasons from Algiers directly contradicts the explicit accusations of 'regional discord' propagated by its state-affiliated
media. This dichotomy suggests a calibrated diplomatic maneuver: maintaining plausible deniability on specific grievances while allowing unofficial channels to disseminate the intended message of punitive action against perceived UAE destabilization efforts. The termination of an agreement of this nature typically follows a prolonged period of diplomatic tension, not an instantaneous judgment,