Is US Policy in Western Sahara Endangering its Influence in Northwest Africa?

Washington is facing growing strategic challenges in Northwest Africa due to its long-standing approach to the Western Sahara issue. Analysts suggest that the U.S. bias toward Morocco—stretching from the tacit support for the 1975 Green March to the obstruction of self-determination efforts—has eroded its standing in the region. Despite the geopolitical shifts following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the failure of U.S. firms to find energy resources in the territory, the U.S. has continued to push for autonomy, ignoring local aspirations. This stance has provided an opening for Russia to bolster its presence by championing self-determination in the UN Security Council. Consequently, Washington faces the prospect of losing regional allies who may increasingly align with emerging powers over the U.S.