There are myriad reasons for the protracted nature of the dispute for Western Sahara. The Western Sahara’s utility as a nationalist tool since 1975 gives the Moroccan monarchy virtually no choice but to maintain its historical discourse. Other parties in the international community have not contributed to any prospect of resolution. The U.N. has failed to complete its mission to hold a referendum, Algeria continues to support the Polisario to maintain the regional balance of power, and major powers like the U. S. have put the expediency of their own priorities over neutrality or balanced mediation. One of the most frustrating aspects of the conflict’s international dimension to Sahrawis is its continued low profile.