But they know very little about the Algerian government, and U.S. foreign policy must be ready to accept that the real terrorists in Algeria might be its governors. If the military regime there is sponsoring terror, U.S. economic ties to Algeria must not blind us to this fact. Algeria's oil production and agricultural sectors are closely linked to the U.S. economy. This nation has a stake in Algeria's future. As such, the United States has an interest in ending the suffering there.
Military action is probably futile, but our European allies have all but written Algeria off.
They go too far, and U.S. diplomats should push for European and Arab help in ending the bloodshed. Backing European and Arab demands for negotiations with America's ability to impose economic sanctions or dispense military punishment can make a settlement possible, no matter who the terrorists are.