Tag "ISIS"

Back to homepage
Asia Pacific Security

China’s march westward and the ISIS challenge

China is making inroads geopolitically by claiming strategic wins, but terrorism and ISIS remain a threat that can undo it all. In recent years, China is slowly returning to its

Middle East/North Africa Natural resources and energy

Oil price drop reveals Iraq’s structural problems

“Iraq’s state finances are increasingly vulnerable to a drop in oil prices and the government could have difficulty financing this year’s budget plan.” – IMF Mission Chief for Iraq, 27

Middle East/North Africa Security

Financial self-sufficiency fuels terrorist climate

The beginning of 2015 has been marked by further Islamic extremist activities with horrific attacks in Paris, Maiduguri, and Istanbul, to name a few. Aside from the mutual goal of

Asia Pacific Security

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

International Security

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/North Africa Security

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.

International Natural resources and energy

Mediterranean energy alliances isolate Turkey

The discovery of hydrocarbons has altered the geopolitical situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, leading to the formation of new alliances that leave Turkey out of the game. With regional crises

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Turkey has much to lose in Kobani

With the Islamic State’s insurgency in Kobani still raging economic fallout in Turkey has already begun. The Turkish state is making significant unforced errors, with damaging long-term consequences for its

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 Natural resources and energy

Three perspectives on falling oil prices

Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the US will feel the effects of oil prices in radically different ways. It would be logical to think that the emergence of ISIL would have