August, 2023

• 31 August

  Experts react: What the Prigozhin plane crash reveals about Putin, the Wagner Group’s future, and the war in Ukraine

  

  It was easier to approach Moscow in June than to leave it in August. Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin, who staged a short-lived mutiny against the Russian military two months ago, was reportedly killed in a plane crash along with nine other passengers on Wednesday while traveling from Moscow …

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• 31 August

  Libya captures Islamic State leader behind 2018 capital bombing

  

  The Islamic State has exploited the chaos in Libya to extend its influence. Libyan authorities have arrested an Islamic State leader suspected of having planned three deadly attacks in Libya’s capital in 2018, the UN-backed government announced on Thursday. The head of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, Abdel Hamid …

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• 31 August

  Kurds suffer as Iraq, Turkey fail to restart oil flow ahead of Turkish FM’s Baghdad visit

  

  As Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to meet in Baghdad with Iraqi leaders, disrupted oil flows, water and cooperation against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party are expected to top the agenda. Iraq and Turkey failed to agree on the resumption of oil exports via the southern Mediterranean port …

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• 31 August

  Prigozhin’s death spells end of Wagner, but Russia won’t abandon its missions

  

  With the Wagner Group’s top leadership reportedly dead in a likely assassination, Moscow is continuing to quietly replace the private mercenary outfit in its overseas operations. Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is presumed dead along with his top deputies following a plane crash in Russia’s Tver region Wednesday. While the …

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• 31 August

  Ukraine Says It Launched ‘Special Operation’ In Russian-Occupied Crimea

  

  Ukraine’s navy and military intelligence carried out a “special operation” overnight in which units landed on Russian-occupied Crimea, the defence ministry’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) said on Thursday (24 August). The operation, which could not be independently confirmed, would amount to a rare demonstration that Ukrainian forces are able …

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• 31 August

  Cyber Scams Keep North Korean Missiles Flying – Analysis

  

  The man speaks English, says he’s Japanese and claims to be a mobile and web developer ready for hire. “I have the experience to start contributing from Day One,” he says, sounding like any eager job candidate would on a job search site. But potential employers have reason to be …

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• 31 August

  The Ukraine-Russia Conflict Has Reached A Stalemate – Analysis

  

  The war between Russia and Ukraine, which broke last year following the former’ invasion, is deadlocked. Ukraine’s counter-offensive has stalled or at least the progress made by Ukrainian ground forces has been limited. Just as the initial Russian offensive stalled due to an impressive Ukrainian fightback and were gradually reversed, …

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• 31 August

  Breaking Pakistan’s Bad IMF Habit – Analysis

  

  Pakistan’s recent US$3 billion Stand-By Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has provided much-needed financial relief alongside the financial aid and investment from several strategic partners, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and China. These arrangements could play a significant role in addressing pressing economic crises. While these …

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• 31 August

  BRICS+ And The Future Of The US Dollar – Analysis

  

  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and intensified United States (US)–China competition have had two important geostrategic consequences. They have blown new life into the European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and accelerated expansion of the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) bloc’s role and membership, as confirmed at this week’s Johannesburg summit. …

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• 31 August

  Niger, le pustch de trop pour la France ?

  

  Après le Mali, le Burkina Faso et le Niger, la France est-elle en passe d’être chassée du Sahel ? Quelle est sa stratégie pour ne pas perdre le dernier pays où elle a repositionné ses troupes ? Parviendra t’elle à convaincre la CEDEAO de frapper les putschistes de Niamey ? …

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