August 30, 2023 Africa, Eurasia
It was the very first visit by an American Secretary of State to Niger, only five months ago. Secretary Antony Blinken’s list of praise for Niger’s government was long and sought to portray it as a model partner. Not surprising, Russia and the Wagner private military company were also on …
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August 30, 2023 Eurasia, Middle Orient, Turkey
Escalating clashes between Turkey and Kurdish militants in northern Iraq have left six Turkish soldiers dead. Six Turkish soldiers were killed in clashes with Kurdish militants in northern Iraq this week, Turkey’s Defense Ministry said Thursday as the fighting between Turkish forces and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) escalated …
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August 30, 2023 Eurasia, Iran, Middle Orient
Under a detainee deal negotiated between Washington and Tehran, several US citizens imprisoned in Iran have been transferred to house arrest in a step toward their full release. Iran has transferred five US citizens held in Evin Prison to house arrest as part of a long-awaited deal that would involve …
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August 30, 2023 Eurasia, Middle Orient, South East Asia
Saudi Arabia’s cooperation with China on technological and scientific innovation is on the rise—and it is Saudi priorities that are steering the relationship. CHINA LOCAL/GLOBAL China has become a global power, but there is too little debate about how this has happened and what it means. Many argue that China …
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August 29, 2023 Africa, Eurasia
On 26 July, high-ranking Nigerien officers announced on national television that they had overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum, who was democratically elected in 2021. In this Q&A, Crisis Group analysts lay out the reasons for the coup as well as the stakes going forward. What happened in Niger on 26 July? …
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August 29, 2023 Afghanistan, Eurasia, South East Asia
There has been a gradual rise in isolated militant activity in Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021. The number of terrorist attacks increased by 27% in 2022 compared to 2021, and have been observed to be deadly in impact on few occasions, as seen during …
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August 29, 2023 Eurasia
The aspiration of former Ukrainian politicians working in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine to be treated as equals by the Kremlin has not been realized, and the unpredictability of the ongoing war makes them increasingly vulnerable. Ever since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Russia has been integrating representatives of local …
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August 29, 2023 Balkans, Eurasia
A 43-year-old man has been arrested in Bosnia on suspicion of having links with Islamic State militants and of planning to attack Muslims from other traditions and one of their mosques, prosecutors said on Monday. The man from the central town of Zenica had been convicted in the past of …
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August 29, 2023 Eurasia, Middle Orient
ISIS militants killed 10 Syrian troops and pro-government fighters in the former extremist stronghold of Raqqa province, a war monitor said Tuesday. “ISIS attacked positions and checkpoints belonging to the regime… setting fire to military vehicles and prefabricated houses,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Six soldiers were also …
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August 29, 2023 Eurasia
Russia initiated a series of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assaults on Ukraine’s ports, escalating its assault on the nation’s food-export infrastructure after its withdrawal from a grain deal in the Black Sea region. This development has raised apprehensions over the potential reoccurrence of disruptions to a substantial percentage of the …
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