Tag "al-Shabaab"

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Security Sub-Saharan Africa

Attack on police in northeast Kenya highlights ineffective government strategy

Recent attacks in Kenya highlight the inability of the government to effectively combat the threat of militants. Garissa, the site of a recent attack on police, is home to Western

Politics Sub-Saharan Africa

Does Kerry’s surprise visit to Somalia prelude a renewed US-Somali relationship?

John Kerry’s surprise visit to Somalia is the latest sign of strengthening relations between the US and Somalia. John Kerry arrived in Mogadishu on May 5, where he met Somali President

Politics Sub-Saharan Africa

Ethiopia’s ruling party unlikely to reform amid economic growth

With next month’s election looming, the ruling party in Ethiopia will continue to retain power. As the country experiences massive economic growth, it also plays a crucial role in the

Finance Middle East/North Africa

Halt of remittances threatens stability in Somalia

Increasing pressure on U.S. banks has led to a complete halt of remittance payments from Somali immigrants to family and friends back home. The decision puts banks in a frustrating

Security Sub-Saharan Africa

Al-Shabaab still a threat to Kenya’s tourism

One year since the Westgate shopping mall terrorist attack, Al-Shabaab still poses a political risk to Kenya’s tourism industry. On 21 September 2013, militants linked to Harakat Al Shabaab Al

Middle East/North Africa Security

Islamic State takes advantage of cash economies in Iraq and Syria

Backed by hundreds of millions of dollars in locally generated funding, the Islamic State has reaped the benefits of cash-driven economies in Iraq and Syria. The US-led military campaign must

International Security

How Al Qaeda is Losing the Battle for Hearts and Minds

With the death of Omar Hammami, an Alabama-born Somali militant, Al Qaeda recruitment efforts in the West are a diminishing security threat. On September 12th, Omar Hammami, an Alabama-born al-Shabaab

Middle East/North Africa Security

Despite Recent Progress, Instability Persists in Somalia

Just one year ago, Somalia, which has weathered near-constant conflict of varying intensity since 1991, looked poised to finally emerge from the cycle of violence and economic despair. A new