Shield and Alert: Maghreb Bound

Morocco’s wheat harvest this year is likely to fall below 2.5 million tons due to a debilitating and lasting drought that has affected much of the country. To put it into perspective, during the wet season, output can reach up to 10 million tons, according to Bloomberg. Industry analysts warn that grain production in Morocco this year will drop by 39% compared to the 2023’s harvest of 4.2 million tons.

In the second week of June 2024, far-right parties across the EU made significant gains in the European Parliament elections. In France, the National Rally led by Marine Le Pen secured nearly a third of the votes, forcing President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve the National Assembly and call for snap elections. Far-right gains affected most major European nations, such as Germany and Italy. In contrast, the Green parties suffered significant losses, which as seeing their influence in Germany and other countries wane.

Algeria was in the spotlight at the G7 summit in Bari in Italy in mid-June. New agreements have been signed with President Tebboun. To counter the strengthening Algerian strategy on the European gas market. Morocco is trying to develop its own gas fields.

There is news coverage in Spain about Morocco stepping up its military presence near the Spanish-controlled enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and a lot of chatter about a Russian military presence in Tunisia.