Security
Will ‘Mano Dura’ crime policies persist in Central America?
In the Central American nations of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, which make up the Northern Triangle, ‘Mano Dura’ (Iron Fist) policies have led to harsh crackdowns on delinquency and
Yemen’s Houthi rebels’ goals remain unclear
Yemen is rudderless following the resignation of its president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi on January 22. The Houthi rebels’ ultimate goals and Yemen’s future, tied to regional stability, remain in
Is Nigeria on the brink of political collapse?
Between falling oil prices and instability in the country’s north linked to a militant insurgency by Boko Haram, Nigeria could be on the brink of social and political collapse. Nigeria must
Is ISIS reviving extremist networks in Indonesia?
With over 250 million people, Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation. While it has banned support for ISIS and its ideology, fighters returning from Iraq or Syria threaten to
Will Al-Qaeda groups cooperate with Islamic State?
The terrorist attacks that occurred in Paris from January 7th to January 9th have shocked Europe and the world. These attacks bore a specificity that underscores a new tendency in
Gaza financial crisis may spark renewed instability
While international headlines are focusing on the new battleground of the conflict between the Palestinians and Israel, the worsening financial troubles looming over the Gaza Strip have the potential to
IS hack underscores need for Cybersecurity Framework
The hack on the US Military’s Central Command Twitter accounts by IS this week illustrates the increasing ability of non-state cyber criminals to disrupt official government and corporate accounts. The
Middle East defense spending fuels security dilemma
Middle East countries are expanding defense budgets at a rapid rate. Between 2014 and 2020, MENA defense spending is expected reach $920 billion despite low oil prices. While investment in
Piracy in West Africa targets the region’s oil industry
Mostly conducted by Nigerian pirates in the Gulf of Guinea, piracy in West Africa has been on the rise for the last years and has proven to be much more sophisticated
Booming business for black market weapons dealers in Iraq and Syria
As war continues to rage in Iraq and Syria, the demand for guns and ammunition has skyrocketed. Weapons dealers have capitalized on rising prices and are making a hefty profit.
