UN Human Rights: Aminatou Haidar told the UN Human Rights Council that Morocco’s rapid push in AI and digital tools is being used to step up surveillance, harassment, and exclusion of Sahrawi women human rights defenders. AI Governance: At the ELI Morocco Forum 2026 in Tangier, economist Guillermo Taboada challenged “Slow AI” hype, warning that misuse of AI can make societies “dumber” and calling for better literacy and governance. Diplomacy & Policy: A new analysis argues Chile’s former president Gabriel Boric backed away from self-determination on Western Sahara, aligning more with Morocco’s monarchy than with human-rights principles. US-Morocco Defense Tech: A US Senate NDAA provision would require a 10-year Pentagon plan to deepen defense cooperation with Morocco, including joint exercises, runway refurbishments, and drone-related force modernization. Regional Security Spending: Another report highlights Algeria’s $25B military build-up as a response to Morocco’s faster defense modernization and Israeli-linked technology partnerships. Culture & History: A Hungary-published book, “Western Sahara and Hungary,” adds to international scholarship on the territory’s history and decolonization. Water Strategy: Commentary argues Maghreb governments must treat water as a strategic sovereignty issue, not just a technical problem, as drought and costs rise.