Spanish Admiral Juan Rodríguez Garat Analyzes Western Mediterranean Dynamics: Algeria’s Strength Surpasses Morocco Amid Overreaching Alawite Ambitions

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | November 17th, 2024 — A recent analysis by retired Spanish Admiral Juan Rodríguez Garat sheds light on the geopolitical dynamics of the Western Mediterranean, particularly focusing on Algeria and Morocco. The admiral, who served 47 years in the Spanish Navy, described Morocco’s monarchy as “cowardly and rogue,” asserting that it only respects strength. He argued that if Morocco possessed military capabilities exceeding those of its neighbors, Algeria and Spain, it would not hesitate to engage in conflict to pursue its expansionist ambitions.

Admiral Rodríguez highlighted Algeria’s military superiority as a deterrent to war in the region. He pointed to Algeria’s advanced weaponry, including its fleet of submarines—a capability Morocco lacks—as a decisive factor in maintaining peace. This assertion is bolstered by historical precedents, such as the 1963 Sand War, where Morocco exploited Algeria’s post-independence vulnerabilities to claim disputed territories unjustly.

In an op-ed titled “Morocco: The Uncomfortable Neighbor,” published in El Independiente, Rodríguez elaborated on Morocco’s role as a destabilizing actor. While he downplayed the likelihood of a war between Algeria and Morocco, he warned against Morocco’s duplicity, labeling it the United States’ primary ally in the Maghreb. His analysis extended to Spain’s strategic considerations, noting that many Spaniards regard Morocco as a significant threat, citing its historical claims on Spanish enclaves like Ceuta and Melilla.

Admiral Rodríguez, who held prominent roles in the Spanish Navy and NATO, underscored the stark contrast between Algeria and Morocco in terms of strategic capabilities. Algeria’s well-armed forces, bolstered by abundant natural resources and vast territory, enable it to maintain a robust defense posture. In contrast, Morocco lacks strategic autonomy, industrial expertise, and access to critical resources like oil and gas, making it heavily reliant on external allies—a precarious strategy, according to Rodríguez.

The admiral also highlighted Morocco’s internal vulnerabilities, including widespread poverty, unemployment, and corruption within the royal family. He argued that these domestic issues often drive the monarchy to stoke nationalist fervor as a diversionary tactic, particularly by escalating rhetoric over territorial disputes.

Rodríguez concluded that Morocco’s ambitions outstrip its capabilities, lacking both nuclear deterrence and the strategic independence necessary for sustained conflict. In his view, Algeria’s military preparedness and resource advantages serve as a stabilizing force in the region, countering Morocco’s potential aggression.

 

 

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