US President Donald Trump’s executive order pausing foreign aid has highlighted the global reliance on US funding as the new administration moves to streamline government spending. While concerns over the effectiveness of international aid and calls for reform are not new, Richard Gardiner examines how the sudden US policy shift will impact regions…
With Islamist militant groups and extremists carrying out attacks across multiple regions last year, Richard Gardiner examines some of the main actors involved and explores what may lie ahead in 2025.
The political and security landscape across Russia and the CIS is marked by significant diversity, reflected in the equally multifaceted travel security risks throughout the region.
Travel security threats in Sub-Saharan Africa remain influenced by the region's complex political and security dynamics, with escalating conflicts in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, and the Sahel posing risks of piracy, kidnappings, and political evacuations.
The deployment of thousands of North Korean personnel to the Russia-Ukraine conflict marks a significant development in the nearly three-year war. Richard Gardiner examines how this involvement could impact not only the conflict itself, but also broader geopolitical dynamics in the region.
As the US presidential elections draw near, attention has focused on the divide in foreign policies between candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Richard Gardiner examines how their divergent approaches may manifest in a fractious yet geopolitically significant region like the Middle East – especially as the Israel-Palestine conflict intensifies.…
Following the recent closure of a prominent bar and eatery in central Cape Town, Richard Gardiner discusses the current dynamics driving extortion in the city’s hospitality industry, the tactics used by the extortionists and why it is unlikely to change any time soon.
Following the historic prisoner exchange between Russia and the US in August, Jameson Lisak examines how the exchange happened despite US-Russia relations being at an all-time low, and why foreign nationals remain at risk of politically motivated detentions in Russia.
Ukraine’s claims of supporting the Tuareg rebel attack on Malian and Wagner forces in July were poorly received in West Africa, complicating Ukraine’s efforts to improve its influence on the continent. Richard Gardiner explores the dangers of Ukraine mimicking Russia’s Africa strategy, highlighting instead the benefits of playing the longer diplomacy…
The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump was a shocking moment in US history, taking place amid deep societal divisions and a tense political climate. Richard Gardiner examines the factors driving political violence and social unrest in the US and assesses the threat they pose as the country approaches the November elections.
The strong links between criminal groups in South Africa and Mozambique have led to the development of sophisticated kidnapping syndicates in both countries. Richard Gardiner explores the factors that have facilitated these ties and why the current situation is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Slowly but surely, Ukraine is weakening Russia’s hold on Crimea, bolstered by the recent deployment of advanced long-range Western weapons systems. Richard Gardiner argues that while this will not secure a decisive victory for Ukraine in the war, it will still have significant implications for Russia, which has always viewed Crimea as a critical linchpin…