As the anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan approaches, it is increasingly clear that the promises of freedoms under a reformed organisation have unravelled. Amid renewed international condemnation of the extremist group, Gabrielle Reid explores the current security landscape in Afghanistan.
Democracy is at risk and the threat of political violence is on the rise write Gabrielle Reid and Gala Riani. According to the Global State of Democracy 2021 report, more than a quarter of the world’s population reside in ‘democratically backsliding’ countries. Together with those living in outright non-democratic regimes, these jurisdictions make up…
The spate of recent coups seen in Africa thus far in 2021 are a stark reminder of the need for robust crisis management and political evacuation plans for hostile operating environments, writes Gabrielle Reid.
With no clear solutions to the Houthi conflict, a political stalemate in Aden and a worsening humanitarian crisis, the increasingly fragmented security environment in Yemen presents new and renewed threats to citizens, neighbouring Saudi Arabia and the commercial maritime sector alike, writes Gabrielle Reid.
In the wake of recent hostilities between Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian territories in May, there have been increased solidarity protests for the Palestinian cause across the globe. It appears that now more than ever the world is watching how conflicts immersed in wider human rights issues will be handled going forward, writes Gabrielle Reid.
As international and domestic stakeholders become increasingly optimistic over potential political stability in Libya, increasingly systemic insecurity could impede peace. With limited and inaccurate crime statistics unable to paint a clear picture of crime rates in Libya, GABRIELLE REID explores how little we may actually know about the state of crime…
Much of the world waited in anticipation for the outcome of the November 2020 US presidential election and, when the results were announced, a Biden victory prompted much debate on what this will mean for US foreign policy in the Middle East. Gabrielle Reid explores what is likely to be on the new administration’s to-do list in the region.
The COVID-19 pandemic will have severe socio-economic consequences for South Africa. This is not least because of worsening economic conditions as well as government mismanagement and maladministration experienced prior to the outbreak of the virus. Investors and commercial operators alike will need to navigate growing challenges including stifled economic…
In May 2018, South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known locally as the ‘Hawks’, claimed that at least 20 businesspeople had been kidnapped over the preceding 18 months. At the time, the statistic seemed overwhelming. Up until that point, traditional kidnap for ransom cases were uncommon. Most abduction cases involved children…
Recent xenophobic violence in South Africa has resulted in security implications for South African businesses locally and elsewhere on the continent. Gabrielle Reid explores the commercial impact to businesses in South Africa and beyond.
Despite the overthrow of long-serving president Omar Al Bashir in April, protesters continue to call for the Military Transitional Council to hand over power to a civilian administration. With negotiations faltering on several occasions, it appears that Sudan is on the brink of a political crisis for the second time this year. The road to stability…
While militant-linked kidnappings of foreign nationals have declined elsewhere in the world, Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel have experienced a visible increase since 2015. Gabrielle Reid examines the rise of Islamist militancy and kidnap-for-ransom activity in Burkina Faso.