Radia Kesseiri

Algeria: an Account of International Politics: President Houari Boumedienne, 1965-1978 Radia Kesseiri

The evolution of Algerian foreign policy from colonial rule to post independence is rich with events that marked international politics. Not enough is available about Algerian foreign policy stances and their echo in International Politics. Furthermore, there is a need to examine the role ideology played in the making and implementation of Algeria's foreign policy after independence, especially under President Houari Boumedienne (1965- 1978) and to assess the factors behind the ideological stances of the regime as well as the underlying causes behind the pragmatic foreign policy postures that the regime adopted at the same time. It is necessary to understand the way pragmatism in President Houari Boumedienne's dealings with the outside world was an inevitable option based on national interest calculations. This is despite the ideological overtures of the Boumedienne regime. Algerian foreign policy under President Houari Boumedienne rule (1965-1978) makes a good case study because of the particular role that ideology played in the making and implementation of foreign policy during this period.