The Mali-based group, Jamaat Nasr al Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), is currently holding five foreign nationals captive in northern Mali. This has put the group in a lucrative position, as the phased release of hostages following ransom payments will offer useful cash injections to prolong JNIM's armed campaign, writes Gabrielle Reid.
Thousands of ransomware attacks across the globe in May 2017 were allegedly tied to a North Korea-affiliated group of cyber-criminals. As US-led calls for tougher economic sanctions gain traction internationally, the North Korean government is likely to stage further cyber-attacks as a form of asymmetric warfare and as a means of generating revenue,…
With corruption scandals simmering at the upper levels of the Brazilian government and opposition to unpopular austerity measures growing, political instability looks set to continue in 2017. Anti-corruption and anti-austerity protests are likely to increase in frequency and size this year.
July's ASEAN summit provided a rare opportunity to reflect on the recent Hague ruling on the Philippines' dispute with China in the South China Sea. However, the summit concluded without a clear response from the region, allowing China to continue with belligerent actions in the region, writes Mandira Bagwandeen.
ASHLEIGH SOMAROO discusses the reasons behind the recent increase in Islamic State-sympathisers in India and whether or not they maintain the capacity to launch coordinated and sophisticated attacks in the country.
Carilee Osborne explores the possibility of cyberattack tactics during the US presidential campaigns and election
Despite Malaysian authorities carrying out several counter-terrorism operations targeting people involved with the Islamic State, the country continues to face a threat from its citizens fighting for the group in Iraq and Syria, writes Mandira Bagwandeen
Although there are some indications of potential changes to foreign and economic policy, there is little doubt that the new Uzbek leader will continue the tradition of his predecessor and preserve the authoritarian political system, writes Saif Islam.
Lack of political will on both sides of the negotiating table continues to undermine efforts to resolve the war in eastern Ukraine. Unless Ukraine, Russia and pro-Russian separatists can reach a compromise, rebel-held territories look set to become another “frozen conflict” zone in the former Soviet Union, writes Saif Islam. This article was originally published in the Daily Maverick: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-26-s-rm-new-talks-on-ukraine-bring-little-hope-for-peace/#.WFvnaFN96Uk…
Amidst a global decrease in piracy in the first half of 2016, kidnapping incidents off the coast of the Philippines and in the Gulf of Guinea remain of concern, write Mandira Bagwandeen and Gabrielle Reid
A spate of attacks in Angola in 2016 highlights the growing threat of kidnappings in the oil-dependent country, a threat which is unlikely to subside quickly, writes Gabrielle Reid
The Orlando attack underscores the complex motives behind lone actor violence, which makes these types of assaults particularly difficult for authorities to thwart, writes Lara Sierra-Rubia.