Why Somalia won its claim to a disputed maritime zone in the Indian Ocean Bridget Coggins - October 19, 2021 Kenya also claimed this area, and had parceled out oil and gas exploration rights
Mozambique’s Islamist insurgents are on the run. Integrating former rebel fighters could help usher in peace. Kai M. Thaler - August 26, 2021 Bringing ex-insurgents into a government’s security forces can win over locals and improve intelligence — but only if it is done well.
Kenya might expel refugees to their home countries Kristin Michelitch and Jeremy Horowitz - June 24, 2021 How do Kenyans view refugees — and what would boost public support for letting them stay?
The Islamic State has ‘provinces’ in Africa. That doesn’t mean what you might think. Jason Warner - June 6, 2021 Africa’s militant groups retain considerable autonomy, research shows
After a violent election, Uganda’s government faces three big challenges Kristof Titeca and Anna Reuss - February 15, 2021 President Yoweri Museveni’s recent criticism of ‘Western elements’ could complicate his reliance on foreign donors
The U.S. may be readying drone strikes in Kenya. That might increase the violence. Anjli Parrin and Abdullahi Halakhe - September 30, 2020 Reported targets are al-Shabab militants operating in an area with high tensions
In Somalia, can al-Shabab be defeated? Here’s why a nonmilitary option might succeed. Christian Taylor - November 5, 2019 It’s critical to keep defectors from rejoining.
In Somalia, al-Shabab targeted U.S. and E.U. forces this week. Here’s what these troops are doing there. Paul Williams - October 3, 2019 U.S. airstrikes and al-Shabab attacks are on the rise.
The U.S. is now negotiating with the Taliban. Would negotiations work with al-Shabab? Peter Mackenzie and Joanne Crouch - February 8, 2019 [caption id="attachment_83536" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Kenya Red Cross personnel help a
Cameroon has an election Sunday — and everyone already knows the winner Yonatan Morse - October 6, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78633" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Cameroonian couple on a scooter
Here’s what it means to be Somali in Kenya Kim Yi Dionne - August 3, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76350" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Residents of Eastleigh, a Nairobi neighborhood
How educational programs in Africa can help counter violent extremism Beth Maclin and Beza Tesfaye - May 17, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73500" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Hundreds of al-Shabab fighters perform military
Did bin Laden’s death help the Islamic State? Tricia Bacon and Elizabeth Arsenault - May 2, 2018 [caption id="attachment_72869" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An undated photo shows al-Qaeda leader
Boko Haram has kidnapped more girls. Here’s what we know. Hilary Matfess - March 8, 2018 [caption id="attachment_70264" align="aligncenter" width="960"] From left, Fatima Abdu, 14, Zahra
Locals call Boko Haram ‘slave raiders.’ Here’s what that means, and why it matters. Scott MacEachern - February 20, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69429" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this undated image taken from
Kenya’s government just let the opposition candidate swear himself in as a ‘parallel’ president Rahma Hussein and Anjli Parrin - January 31, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68702" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of the Kenyan opposition leader
U.N. peacekeepers were killed in Congo. Here’s what we know. Christoph Vogel - December 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_67135" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Armed groups on Thursday attacked this
Somalia’s African Union mission has a new exit strategy. But can troops actually leave? Paul Williams - November 30, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66750" align="aligncenter" width="960"] African Union soldiers march along the
When did Congress authorize fighting in Niger? That’s an excellent question. Andrew Rudalevige - November 11, 2017 It’s Veterans Day – not a bad time to give
Somaliland votes next week. Its biggest challenges come after the election. Scott Pegg and Michael Walls - November 10, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66067" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Livestock traders chat in front of
Boko Haram vs. al-Shabab: What do we know about their patterns of violence? Wendy Williams, Roudabeh Kishi, Olivia Russell, Joseph Siegle, and Clionadh Raleigh - October 2, 2017 The United Nations proclaimed Oct. 2 as the International Day
Beach reads: Andrew Harding’s ‘The Mayor of Mogadishu’ Laura Seay - September 1, 2017 [caption id="attachment_62951" align="aligncenter" width="768"] "The Mayor of Mogadishu” (Photo courtesy
Beach Reads: Jeffrey Gettleman’s ‘Love, Africa’ Laura Seay - August 25, 2017 [caption id="attachment_62835" align="alignnone" width="768"] Beach reading (Laura Seay)[/caption] It's hot,
Islamic State’s next move could be underground criminal networks Aisha Ahmad - August 8, 2017 After months of fierce ground war, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider
Kenya votes amid a wave of violence. Here’s how that matters. Stephanie Burchard and Dorina Bekoe - August 2, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61711" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Members of civil society groups protest
No, al-Shabab is not deadlier than Boko Haram. Here are better numbers. Salem Solomon and Casey Frechette - July 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61248" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Somali soldiers stand guard at the
As the U.S. gets more involved in Somalia, beware these three fallacies Teresa Krug, Maximilian Meduna, and Michael Harsch - July 18, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61055" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Somali soldiers at the scene of
This is why al-Shabab won’t be going away anytime soon Tricia Bacon - July 6, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60645" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Students in Nairobi protest an attack
A Navy SEAL was killed in Somalia. Here’s what you need to know about U.S. operations there. Paul Williams - May 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57959" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this Oct. 30, 2009, file
Trump’s missile attack on Syria might be satisfying. But it’s not legal. Andrew Rudalevige - April 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56578" align="aligncenter" width="960"] This image released on April 7
Yes, it’s possible to do research in conflict zones. This is how. Romain Malejacq and Dipali Mukhopadhyay - April 5, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56019" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An Afghan security official stands guard
Congress may give Trump legal authority to fight the Islamic State Andrew Rudalevige - March 27, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55840" align="alignnone" width="960"] U.S. forces drive armored vehicles near
Somalia’s new president now faces 3 big challenges Safia Farole - March 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_54974" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Civilians ride on a Somali police
Education alone doesn’t prevent terrorism. Here’s what else you need. Beza Tesfaye - January 5, 2017 [caption id="attachment_52091" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Lily Atong, who was abducted as
What is inspiring homegrown terror in the U.S.? It’s not just the Islamic State. Sarah Gilkes and Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens - December 6, 2016 [caption id="attachment_50780" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Crime scene investigators collect evidence as
Jihadis in Congo? Probably not. Kristof Titeca - September 27, 2016 [caption id="attachment_46830" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Congolese soldier from the Armed
Why Kenya’s threat to close its refugee camps is even worse than you think Stephanie Schwartz - May 11, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40399" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Somali refugee girls attend Koran classes
Here’s how the U.N. is working to stop terrorists from getting weapons of mass destruction Mark Nance and Bryan Early - May 3, 2016 [caption id="attachment_39928" align="aligncenter" width="2366"] The General Assembly building at United
What new evidence from Somalia tells us about when civilians decided to flee war zones Justin Schon - February 23, 2016 [caption id="attachment_36166" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Women walk in Dadaab refugee camp
The U.S. can’t fight terrorists in Africa. So guess what it does instead. Charles Thomas - February 1, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35026" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A crashed MQ-9 Reaper drone seen
Three things we learned from last week’s al-Shabaab attack in Somalia Paul Williams - January 19, 2016 [caption id="attachment_34538" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Members of the Kenya Defense Forces
Is Burundi still a credible peacekeeper? Nina Wilén, Gérard Birantamije, and David Ambrosetti - May 23, 2015 [caption id="attachment_25204" align="alignnone" width="620" class="center"] A demonstrator raises her hands
Four questions – and answers – about U.S. support of peacekeeping in Africa Paul Williams - May 15, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24812" align="alignnone" width="620" class="center"] A man holding Burundi's flag
Why Islamist insurgents are so difficult to coerce Yuri Zhukov and Duffy Toft - May 5, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24310" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] Islamic fighters from al-Nusra Front
Armed and ‘innocent’? Mia Bloom - September 11, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15608" align="alignnone" width="620"] An Iraqi child carries a gun
Armed and 'innocent'? Mia Bloom - September 11, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15608" align="alignnone" width="620"] An Iraqi child carries a gun
The Islamic State won’t find it easy to wipe away post-colonial borders William Miles - September 10, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15588" align="aligncenter" width="620"] This image posted on a militant
The Islamic State won't find it easy to wipe away post-colonial borders William Miles - September 10, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15588" align="aligncenter" width="620"] This image posted on a militant
Global terrorism data show that the reach of terrorism is expanding - August 15, 2014 [caption id="attachment_14556" align="aligncenter" width="2060"] A map of global terrorism incidents
Female suicide bombers are not a new phenomenon Mia Bloom - August 6, 2014 A petrol station sits in ruins after a female suicide
Scapegoating Africa’s immigrants Claire Adida - June 3, 2014 [caption id="attachment_11271" align="aligncenter" width="1024" special=""] Eastleigh, shown here in January
Scapegoating Africa's immigrants Claire Adida - June 3, 2014 [caption id="attachment_11271" align="aligncenter" width="1024" special=""] Eastleigh, shown here in January
Why it’s hard for the U.S. to fight terrorism and promote democracy in East Africa John Sides - October 8, 2013 [caption id="attachment_1172" align="aligncenter" width="538" special=""] (Mohamed Sheikh Nor, File/Associated Press)[/caption]
Foreign jihadists aren't as big a threat to the West as you might think Joshua Tucker - September 25, 2013 [caption id="attachment_191" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Kabir Dhanji / European Pressphoto
The State of the Presidential Race in Kenya Joshua Tucker - February 16, 2013 Continuing our series of election reports, we are pleased to
What NSF-Funded Projects Have Taught Us About National Security Issues Erica Chenoweth - May 11, 2012 by Erica Chenoweth (@EricaChenoweth) and Jason Lyall (@jaylyall_red5.) Yesterday’s House of Representatives