Africa

How to Manage the Threat of an Expanding Islamic State in Africa

Every expert on transnational jihadism knew that eradicating the Islamic State’s self-declared “caliphate” in Syria and Iraq would not lead to the end of this brutal, malignant movement. Since it had become as much an ideology and a brand as an actual organization, holding physical territory and establishing a proto-state …

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Libya: Amid Hope for Peace, Regional Rifts Still Pose Hurdles

2021 is meant to be Libya’s transitional year. The new interim government faces huge tasks. Libyans and the United Nations advanced their current effort to end almost a decade of instability and war this month when a U.N.-backed forum nominated an interim government to prepare nationwide elections by the end …

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Pentagon top brass gear up for US future strategies in the region

Delegations to Tunisia, Egypt and Oman explore AFRICOM and CENTCOM roles in their areas of operations. Senior US military officials are visiting countries in North Africa and the Gulf region to update their take on realities on the ground and help shape President Joe Biden’s vision for promoting US interests …

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US generals head to Tunisia ahead of major military exercise

The Pentagon aims to bolster partnerships in North Africa with the African Lion exercise this summer. Two senior United States Army commanders will arrive in Tunisia on Wednesday to meet with local officials ahead of a planned multinational military exercise in North Africa. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the commander of all …

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Russia’s Naval Base in Sudan Opens a Long-Sought Gateway to the Red Sea

Following Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s approval last month of a new naval base to be built on Sudan’s Red Sea coast, official Kremlin statements have billed the facility as a logistics center that will be defensive in nature—for principal use as a resupply station for Russian warships. In spite …

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The U.S. Can Still Promote Democracy in Africa

America’s democracy, once seen as a shining light and inspiration to democrats across the world, was pushed to the brink by Donald Trump’s presidency. In the aftermath of last month’s storming of the Capitol by right-wing extremists, some commentators declared that the United States’ own troubles mean it must now …

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Libyan interior minister says he survived assassination attempt

The security force involved in Fathi Bashagha’s motorcade collision dispute the claim, saying the interior minister’s men fired on them. Fathi Bashagha, interior minister for eastern Libya’s United Nations-recognized government, allegedly survived an assassination attempt on Thursday, sources in his office told multiple news outlets. Bashagha’s motorcade reportedly came under …

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Erik Prince violated Libya arms embargo, UN report alleges

The Blackwater founder and associates sought to buy helicopter gunships from Jordan to aid Libyan warlord Khalifa Hifter’s assault on Tripoli, investigators believe. Blackwater founder and prominent Donald Trump campaign donor Erik Prince is accused of violating the United Nations’ arms embargo on Libya by working with a team of …

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Gantz: If Hezbollah attacks, all of Lebanon will sadly suffer

Among the topics discussed in his visit were the threats being posed by Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies that have stationed themselves along Israel’s borders with Lebanon and Syria. Defense Minister Benny Gantz spoke about the ongoing threats posed by Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon in a Tuesday visit to the …

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