Following the effective collapse of the Islamic State caliphate across Syria and Iraq in February 2019, the terrorist group appears to have extended its reach to new territories including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sri Lanka. In the space of one week, Islamic State took credit for terror attacks in both countries. Markus Korhonen places these…
Earlier this week, Volodymyr Zelensky, a well-known comedian with no political experience, won the Ukrainian presidential election. Though Zelensky’s campaign was light on policies, his outsider status and anti-corruption rhetoric appealed to an electorate tired of the same establishment politicians. His transition from populist TV star to effective…
Security operations against Colombia’s left-wing ELN militants may have reduced their numbers, but the group continues to bomb oil pipelines and kidnap local and foreign workers. Erin Drake explores the impact of the ELN’s operations on the country’s oil sector.
Spurred by false rumours on social media, lynch mobs in India have assaulted or killed dozens of people in a number of recent incidents across the country. Markus Korhonen explores concerns over the potential for misinformation and fake news to spark communal violence in the run-up to this year’s parliamentary elections.
Mass protests in February and March in Algeria, reminiscent of the 2011 Arab Spring, may have ended President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s political career, but they are unlikely to challenge the existing political order, writes Bilal Bassiouni.
On 27 January 2019, two explosive devices were detonated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu Province. The attack occurred just one week after a plebiscite confirming the creation of an autonomous Moro-Muslim homeland in Mindanao, raising doubts regarding the prospects for peace in the southern Philippines, writes Rob Attwell.…
Nigeria’s incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari, secured a second term in office in the February presidential election, but he will have little time to celebrate his victory. The president will need to buckle down and address key security concerns hampering Africa’s largest economy, writes Joschka Opitz.
Shortly after announcing her candidacy for prime minister, Princess Ubolratana was disqualified and the opposition party which nominated her faces dissolution, raising concerns about Thailand’s future political stability. Rob Attwell unpacks some of the key players and developments driving Thai politics ahead of the 24 March election.
On 17 November 2018, nearly 300,000 people began the first in a series of anti-government protests triggered by a proposed fuel tax increase in France. Yellow vests protests have occurred every Saturday since, and are now in their 14th week. Tim Geschwindt examines the underlying drivers of the protests and assesses what lies ahead for the yellow vests…
The recent coup d’état attempt in Gabon came as a surprise to many who have viewed the country as a beacon of stability among its central African neighbours. However, inherent vulnerabilities were present in Gabon’s political structures. These continue to exist, indicating an unstable political future for Gabon, writes Joschka Opitz.
Rob Attwell discusses some of the key takeaways from the recent bombing in Pulwama, Kashmir, the deadliest attack against Indian forces in 30 years.
On 15 January, four gunmen stormed the dusitD2 hotel and office complex in Nairobi, Kenya, in the first complex terrorist attack in the city in six years. Al Shabaab’s latest assault points to the persistent terrorism threat in Kenya, writes Gabrielle Reid.