Why U.S. data forms are adding new race and ethnicity options Amanda Sahar d’Urso - April 5, 2024 Many Americans welcome the shift in how the government tallies people of Hispanic/Latino and MENA descent.
‘Islamic State in Africa’ explores nine militant Islamist groups Dan Eizenga - July 14, 2022 This book takes a comprehensive look at the rise of Islamic State affiliates operating on the continent
Russia’s land grabs in Ukraine could break the international order Sara Mitchell, Paul Hensel, Krista Wiegand, and Andrew Owsiak - March 3, 2022 Would other countries also try to claim territory that contains their ethnic kin?
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
Groups like the Taliban have seized power elsewhere. Will the Taliban face similar difficulties governing? Raphael Lefevre - August 24, 2021 The research shows how hard it is to go from armed rebellion to leadership
This book explains when peacekeeping works — and when it doesn’t Naazneen H. Barma - August 19, 2021 To give peace a chance, start with the grass roots, not the treetops.
Fights over marine boundaries are creating safe zones for pirates Brandon Prins, Anup Phayal, and Aaron Gold - August 4, 2021 New research reveals how contested waters have become maritime hot spots
3 books offer deep dive into Kenyan politics Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - July 29, 2021 This week’s African Politics Summer Reading Spectacular examines bureaucratic wrangling, the links between land and violence, and refugee life
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
Negotiating peace the same old way doesn’t work. Here’s what does. Séverine Autesserre - March 21, 2021 Over 20 years of research, these three things emerged as key to building a lasting peace
Biden called climate change an ‘existential threat.’ Can the U.N. Security Council help? Morgan Bazilian, Joshua Busby, and Florian Krampe - March 1, 2021 The U.S. presides over the council this month
Africans think their governments aren’t fighting corruption hard enough Christiaan Keulder - January 28, 2021 But they fear punishment if they speak up against it
Australia discovered that its special forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan Thomas Gift, Charles Miller, and Andrew M. Bell - November 30, 2020 Here’s the research on how militaries can reduce violence against civilians
Why Ethiopia’s conflict could spill beyond its borders David Kampf - November 30, 2020 Civil wars rarely remain purely domestic affairs
Does covid-19 raise the risk of violent conflict? Not everywhere. Colette Salemi - October 15, 2020 New research shows conflicts rose in some countries but fell in others.
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
U.S. officials are talking about urban warfare. Here’s what urban warfare really involves. Margarita Konaev and Kirstin J.H. Brathwaite - June 4, 2020 How do you ‘mass and dominate the battlespace’ in a U.S. city?
The U.S. hasn’t signed the world’s foremost women’s rights treaty. Activists have gotten local versions passed instead. Heidi Haddad - March 7, 2020 These aren’t just symbolic laws. They affect women’s lives.
In 2019, the U.S. ranked as more corrupt on this international index. That happened last year, too. Dan Hough - January 24, 2020 It’s tough to measure corruption, but Transparency International’s annual scorecard gives trends to watch.
Ethiopia’s prime minister wants to change the ruling coalition. Who’s getting left out? Goitom Gebreluel - December 23, 2019 Capitalism, not revolutionary democracy, seems to be the new direction.
Yes, aid workers are getting killed more often. But why? Emily K. M. Scott - December 6, 2019 Aid groups are protecting international staff — while local staff are getting killed in their own countries.
Yes, aid workers are getting killed more often. But why? Emily K. M. Scott - November 26, 2019 More and more, humanitarian workers get killed in their own countries.
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.
Is China’s influence at the United Nations all it’s cracked up to be? Courtney J. Fung - October 6, 2019 Here are five things to know
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.
Trump’s travel ban really was a Muslim ban, data suggests Vahid Niayesh - September 25, 2019 What the Trump administration’s data can and can’t tell us about the true effect of the travel ban
‘Strong NGOs and Weak States’ takes an intriguing look at the path of justice in Congo and South Africa Laura Seay - August 15, 2019 NGOs may wield more power than you think.
No, Americans don’t support airstrikes that kill civilians, even when they target terrorists. Shannon Golden, James Ron, and Howard Lavine - May 6, 2019 Polls that show Americans support airstrikes against suspected terrorists ignore some very large caveats.
Sorry, President Trump. Here’s why American Jews aren’t abandoning the Democratic Party. Michael Tesler - March 21, 2019 These three factors mean a “Jexodus” is unlikely any time soon.
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
This is the one norm Trump didn’t break when he pulled troops out of Syria Alice Hunt Friend - January 6, 2019 Over the holidays, President Trump lashed out at outgoing Defense
Would it be ethical for the U.N. refugee agency to send Rohingya back to Myanmar? Mollie Gerver - December 17, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81619" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Rohingya refugees shout slogans against repatriation
With a lack of progress in Libya’s transition, what would a national conference in 2019 mean? Al Ali and Sumit Bisarya - November 21, 2018 [caption id="attachment_80535" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Ghassan Salame, U.N. special representative for
Does U.S. drone warfare in countries like Pakistan really cause ‘blowback’? Daniel Silverman - October 26, 2018 [caption id="attachment_79403" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Women rally against U.S. drone strikes
There’s another way to build peace. And it doesn’t come from the top down. Séverine Autesserre - October 23, 2018 [caption id="attachment_79254" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Women line up outside a polling
By ending ‘temporary protected status’ for half a million people, Trump has probably increased illegal migration David Leblang, Ankita Satpathy, Alexa Iadarola, Ben Helms, Kelsey Hunt, Eric Xu, Rebecca Brough, and Mahesh Rao - August 7, 2018 Since taking office, President Trump has shown a firm commitment
There’s been a historic shift in Ethiopia-Eritrea relations, and this new book explores the countries’ rebellions Kim Yi Dionne - July 20, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75980" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Relatives embrace after meeting at Asmara
Congress has three tools to counter Trump on Russia Douglas Kriner - July 20, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75955" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump and Russian President Vladimir
Fifty years ago, American troops abandoned Khe Sanh. Here’s how the U.S. got over ‘Vietnam syndrome.’ Jonathan DiCicco and Benjamin Fordham - July 5, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75322" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] In this Feb. 7, 1968, photo,
When is nationalism a good thing? When it unites an ethnically diverse citizenry Sam Winter-Levy and Nikita Lalwani - June 26, 2018 In his new book, “Nation Building: Why Some Countries Come Together
Here’s a different take on Boko Haram and extremism in Africa Kim Yi Dionne - June 22, 2018 [caption id="attachment_45643" align="aligncenter" width="960"] This woman and girl escaped their Boko
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
Attacking Syria wasn’t legal a year ago. It’s still not. Andrew Rudalevige - April 13, 2018 [caption id="attachment_72115" align="aligncenter" width="960"] U.S. Navy sailors staff the Arleigh Burke-class
John Bolton’s appointment reveals this much bigger problem Joshua Shifrinson - March 29, 2018 Last week, when President Trump announced he was replacing H.R.
To win ‘hearts and minds’ in Afghanistan, some aid programs worked better than others Rebecca Wolfe and Jason Lyall - February 19, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69365" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Afghan youths look over the city
Ethiopia just pardoned political prisoners. Could that signal a shift to real democracy? Yohannes Gedamu - February 9, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68996" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters welcome Merera Gudina, leader of
What the ‘s—hole’ debate gets wrong about Africa Christopher Day and Beth Whitake - January 18, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68183" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump and Sen. Dick Durbin,
Hurricane Maria killed 64 Puerto Ricans. Another 1,000 died because the disaster response was inadequate. Jeremy Konyndyk - December 18, 2017 On Dec. 8, 2017, the New York Times published a
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
Why moderate Muslims come to support extremist groups Barbara Walter - November 29, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66679" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Discarded shoes of victims remain Saturday
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
We finally know the results of Papua New Guinea’s elections Zoe Meers and Kim Yi Dionne - October 25, 2017 [caption id="attachment_65355" align="aligncenter" width="640"] An electoral commission worker answers questions
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
Congress keeps quiet on U.S. drone policy — and that’s a big problem Sarah Kreps and Miles McCain - August 24, 2017 A day after President Trump’s prime-time speech on Aug. 21
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
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
Kenyans will vote in August. Why are NGO-government relations an issue? Jennifer Brass - June 16, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59997" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta of the
The Internet is changing civil wars. Watch out for these five trends. Barbara Walter - June 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59494" align="aligncenter" width="960"] South Sudanese refugees shelter from the
How Trump’s alignment with Saudi Arabia and the UAE is inflaming the Middle East Marc Lynch - June 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59460" align="aligncenter" width="960"]in President Trump speaks with Qatar's Sheikh
Cameroon has been in crisis for six months. Here’s what you need to know. Yonatan Morse - June 2, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59202" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Cameroon’s President Paul Biya and wife
The Trump administration wants to send more military advisers to Afghanistan. Good luck with that. Stephen Biddle, Ryan Baker, and Julia Macdonald - May 15, 2017 [caption id="attachment_58268" align="alignleft" width="960"] Marines salute during a handover ceremony
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
The effects of climate change will force millions to migrate Kelly McFarland and Vanessa Lide - April 23, 2017 Here's what this means for human security.
Did pictures in the news media just change U.S. policy in Syria? Babak Bahador - April 10, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56652" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Residents of Khan Sheikhoun, Syria, hold
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
How the refugee crisis is transforming the Middle East Marc Lynch and Laurie Brand - March 30, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56077" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A displaced Syrian child carries broomsticks
Wealthier nations can learn from how tiny Djibouti welcomes refugees Lauren Carruth and Lahra Smith - March 30, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56099" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Children play on April 13, 2015,
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
Denmark already had a Muslim ban. It was just called something else. Samantha Brown - March 23, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55740" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Nyhavn Canal in Copenhagen (iStock)[/caption] The
Somali pirates just hijacked an oil tanker. Here’s what pirates want — and where they strike. Ursula Daxecker, Brandon Prins, and Anup Phayal - March 14, 2017 [caption id="attachment_52619" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Philippine Coast Guard boat, left,
When is a warlord better than no warlord? Robert Blair and Pablo Kalmanovitz - March 10, 2017 [caption id="attachment_39929" align="aligncenter" width="2366"] The United Nations headquarters in New
Why the research into climate change in Africa is biased, and why it matters Cullen Hendrix - March 9, 2017 [caption id="attachment_38201" align="aligncenter" width="4868"] Africa, from space. (NASA)[/caption] Scholars have
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
A Trump moratorium on international treaties could roll back human rights — here at home Emily Ritter and Courtenay Conrad - March 1, 2017 [caption id="attachment_40399" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Somali refugee girls attend Koran classes
Trump’s travel ban may backfire — and hinder U.S. policy Melissa Carlson - February 9, 2017 [caption id="attachment_53840" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Roodo Abdishakur, second from left, a
There’s more to measuring corruption than Transparency International’s annual index, just released Dan Hough - January 26, 2017 [caption id="attachment_53160" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An activist seeking more transparency in
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
Is diversity inherently dangerous? Jóhanna Birnir, Erika Forsberg, and Christian Davenport - December 16, 2016 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] New U.S. citizens wave flags during
Kidnapping for ransom works like a market. How it is organized is surprising. Anja Shortland - December 13, 2016 [caption id="attachment_51200" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A member of the Libyan security
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
Food scarcity causes conflicts — but so can food abundance. Here’s why. Ore Koren - November 23, 2016 [caption id="attachment_49828" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Displaced Iraqis receive food at a
When the White House changes hands, it is a dangerous time in foreign policy Tony Lucadamo and Phil Potter - November 10, 2016 [caption id="attachment_42601" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The presidential seal is placed on
5 things to know about the new U.N. secretary general Michael Schroeder - October 13, 2016 [caption id="attachment_47703" align="aligncenter" width="960"] U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees António
Here’s what ordinary Arabs think about the Syrian refugee crisis Chris Tenove and Alexandra Siegel - September 19, 2016 [caption id="attachment_46446" align="aligncenter" width="584"] The text of the tweet translates
Where do African women have more power? Surprise — in countries emerging from war. Aili Tripp - July 15, 2016 [caption id="attachment_43742" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Catherine Samba-Panza was the acting president
Drone blowback in Pakistan is a myth. Here’s why. Aqil Shah - May 17, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40689" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A U.S. Predator drone flies over
Are Muslim countries more violent? Nils Gleditsch and Ida Rudolfsen - May 16, 2016 [caption id="attachment_37168" align="alignnone" width="908"] Syrian government troops drive an armored
Is the war against the Islamic State illegal? A new lawsuit should prompt Congress to decide. Andrew Rudalevige - May 11, 2016 In April, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments about the
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
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
Here’s this year’s (flawed) Corruption Perception Index. Those flaws are useful. Dan Hough - January 27, 2016 On Wednesday, Transparency International (TI), the world’s leading anti-corruption organization, is
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
How can universities deal with racism? Learn from war zones. Mark Massoud - December 7, 2015 [caption id="attachment_33199" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Students gather at the entrance of