Algeria is Africa's largest country. It boasts vast territory, abundant natural resources, a strategic Mediterranean coastline and a youthful population of over 45 million. It also has a well-equipped military, ranked 25th globally. So why does Algeria, a country with all the traditional hallmarks of a "big state", exert such limited influence on the global stage? In this book, Dalia Ghanem unpacks Algeria's "big state, small politics" paradox by meticulously examining four key hindering factors: internal political dynamics dominated by a security-focused military; a persistent rentier economy that stifles diversification and external engagement; a hesitant and often reactive foreign policy; and a neglected international image that fails to capitalize on its rich cultural heritage. Through this compelling analysis, the book not only sheds light on Algeria's trajectory but also offers crucial insights into the evolving dynamics of power and influence in the 21st century. The book broaches a central puzzle in international relations and is essential reading for anyone interested in global affairs, North African politics, and the shifting landscape of international power.

Dalia Ghanem is Senior Fellow and Director of the Conflict and Security Program at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, Doha, Qatar. Previously, Ghanem served as Director of the MENA Program and Senior Analyst at the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), Paris, France. She has worked as Senior Resident Scholar at the Carnegie Middle East Center, Beirut, Lebanon, for a decade. She is the author of Understanding the Persistence of Competitive Authoritarianism in Algeria (2022).