A resurgence in organised hijackings of small fuel tankers in Southeast Asian waters not only highlights a growing sophistication of piracy in the region but also suggests that counter piracy operations are facing several challenges, writes Mandira Bagwandeen.
Presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev and Islam Karimov's recent electoral victories in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were expected. While business seems to be continuing as usual in these countries, the succession question is becoming increasingly important, especially in light of socio-economic challenges and broader geopolitical dynamics, writes Saif Islam.…
NATO-Russia relations have reached a new low amid ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe. Mutual suspicion of each other's interests in the region underscore long-standing obstacles for Euro-Atlantic cooperation, write Lara Sierra-Rubia and Saif Islam.
Although the capture of Debaltseve by pro-Russian separatists may have temporarily frozen the Ukrainian conflict, the roadmap to implementing the second Minsk agreement is fraught with uncertainty and the possibility of further violence, writes Saif Islam.
While the Abu Sayyaf Group's pledge of allegiance to the Islamic State might inspire it to politicise its kidnappings, jumping on the IS bandwagon ultimately serves as a springboard for the group to reassert its status as a feared organisation in the region, writes Mandira Bagwandeen.
The series of attacks in France in early January underscores the complex threat of terrorism in Europe, with overseas Islamist extremist groups' calls for further attacks likely to be taken up by a ‘leaderless resistance', writes Lara Sierra-Rubia.
The growing economic woes facing Russia are unlikely to significantly challenge President Vladimir Putin's grip on power, writes Saif Islam.
The recent terrorist attacks in Chechnya have brought back memories of previous destructive conflicts. Although war is unlikely, the region could be heading for a period of instability, writes Saif Islam.
The recent hostage crisis in Australia has led to fears of further attacks by home-grown jihadists. However, the threat of so-called ‘lone wolf' attacks should be the greater concern, writes Mandira Bagwandeen.
Despite a truce, fears of an eventual resurgence of violence between the ruling FRELIMO party and longstanding rebel-group-turned-political-party, RENAMO, are rightly preoccupying investors; nonetheless, they should not neglect to address popular grievances in the north and west of Mozambique, which are being driven by the fast pace of development in…
A new gambit by Al Qaeda sparks security concerns in Southeast Asia, but the franchise is best viewed as part of a struggle for supremacy with an ascendant Islamic State, writes Rachel McLaughlin.
Indonesia's President-elect represents a new step forward for Indonesia's burgeoning democracy, writes Peter Honey.