The August 2016 announcement that Islamic State had replaced the leader of its West African affiliate, Boko Haram, has paved the way for a split in the Nigerian militant group. Now it appears Nigeria and its allies will be fighting militants on two fronts in the region, writes Gabrielle Reid
Islamic State's losses in Sirte are an undeniable knock to the group and have exposed the weaknesses of the Caliphate's claims in Libya. Nevertheless, they will likely prompt a return to insurgent-style guerilla tactics. Francesca Fazey explores the impact on the North Africa region
A wave of security raids in Tunisia over the past week has refocused attention on the country’s domestic militancy threat as the armed forces attempt to improve the security of the country’s border with Libya.
As the current insurgency in the Niger Delta region mirrors dynamics seen in the early 2000s, kidnappings by militant groups are likely to emerge as a renewed threat in the region, writes Gabrielle Reid.
While touted as a holistic approach to the region's gang problem, the latest tri-national anti-crime initiative in Central America is unlikely to succeed, writes Lloyd Belton.
As the Iraqi army moves towards its final stage of operations against the Islamic State militant group, the controversial involvement of Shi'a militias threatens to undo the military's gains, writes Julian Karssen
Since entering office on 30 June, the new Filipino President, Rodrigo Duterte, haslaunched a ruthless anti-drugs campaign that has resulted in thousands of deaths. With no end in sight in the short term, the tally of drug-related deaths by security forces and vigilante groups is likely to increase, writes Mandira Bagwandeen
A recent series of express kidnappings in Johannesburg,conducted under the guise of the convenient Uber taxi service, points to a new kidnapping threat in the country, writes Grant Caswell
As Turkey conducts its first major offensive against Islamic State in northern Syria, the incursion threatens to introduce greater instability to an already fragile region, writes Julian Karssen
The encroachment of neighbouring insurgencies on Niger seems inevitable, with militants in the north and south east seemingly determined to carry out renewed attacks against Nigerien interests, write Gabrielle Reid and Grant Caswell
The recent Filipino military offensive against theAbu Sayyaf Group has failed to rein in the latest spateof attacks and kidnappings in the southern Philippines,writes Mandira Bagwandeen