Recent Posts

The Moura Massacre in Mali and the Role of Russian Mercenaries

Early indications of a massacre in Moura, Mali have been denied by the Malian government, and it is thus far hindering any independent onsite investigation by international bodies. There are reports that Russian mercenaries, from the notorious Wagner Group, may have been involved in or had knowledge of the Moura …

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Is MBS Looking for an Exit Ramp in Yemen?

A ceasefire and a restructuring of the Yemen government suggest that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS) is looking for an off-ramp for the conflict. Houthi missile attacks on the Kingdom and the UAE, coupled with strains in U.S. relations with the two Gulf states, may have shifted MBS’ …

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Spy Games: Russian Intelligence Personnel Expelled from Western Embassies

In the wake of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Western countries have expelled hundreds of Russian diplomats to hinder Russian intelligence efforts. Most countries use some diplomatic postings for intelligence purposes, though the scale of Russia’s efforts is massive, and there will be significant consequences to having its personnel evicted …

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The Blitzkrieg Failed. What’s Next?

The special operation in Ukraine was conceived by Putin and his entourage as a way to turn the political situation around. The Kremlin strategists weren’t the least bit interested in the fate of the people in Lugansk and Donetsk, or even in the future of Ukraine. At a historical impasse, …

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Stop the Geopolitical War Now

In my view it is best to understand the Ukraine Crisis as a two-level war with regional and global implications. The surprising strength of Ukrainian resistance has dramatized the magnitude of Moscow’s miscalculation in having anticipating quickly subduing resisting to its aggression and intended occupation. Russia has already been defeated …

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Ukraine War Puts New Focus on Conflict in Western Sahara

Amid new tensions, can diplomacy unstick a long-stalled peace process with Morocco and Algeria? After years of stagnation in the conflict over the Western Sahara, the Russian war on Ukraine and other recent events could create openings to advance long-stalled Western Sahara peace efforts. Unprecedented parallel visits by America’s top …

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What Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Means for African Governments

While some see the chance to bolster the continent’s energy markets, others double-down on ties with Moscow. As Russia’s war in Ukraine advances into its second month, the conflict’s effects continue to ripple across the world. In Africa, the conflict is upending long-term trends across the continent and eliciting mixed …

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