International Analysis

The high-risk tensions between France and Algeria

Just as a long period of soured relations between France and Algeria, its former North African colony, appeared to be on the mend, a new crisis has flared up between the two countries, representing the greatest rift since the end of the Algerian war of independence in 1962. The arrest in France of an Algerian consulate official for the alleged kidnapping of an opponent in exile this week has already led to the tit-for-tat expulsions of officials from both countries. In this analysis of the latest developments, Ilyes Ramdani argues that the potential consequences of the dispute are immeasurable.