Al-Shabab Strikes outside of Somalia
This weekend’s double bombing in Kampala bears all the hallmarks of an al-Shabab attack. It seems that Somalia’s homegrown strain of the Taliban has struck outside its own borders for the very first time.
The Sinking of the Cheonan
Now that DPRK involvement in the sinking of the Cheonan is beyond the shadow of a doubt, the crisis has entered a new phase in which one misstep can trigger military conflict.
DPRK Instability
In the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, we find a nuclear-armed state with a collapsing economy and a blurred line of leadership succession. In short, a geopolitical time bomb.
Hegemonic Decline or Practical Diplomacy?
Although President Obama’s decision to scrap Bush-era plans to build missile defense bases in Poland and the Czech Republic can be taken as a consequence of America’s declining hegemonic power, it is underpinned by several practical military and diplomatic considerations.
Afghan Election & NATO
It is increasingly likely that past mistakes in NATO strategy will be too much to overcome in the face of Afghanistan's deteriorating political and military circumstances.
Riots in Xinjiang
Violence in Xinjiang presents Beijing with an opportunity to break away from policy failures of the past.
Analysis: AMISOM Takes Aim at al-Shabab
The al-Shabab attack on World Cup revelers in Uganda three weeks ago has served as a wake-up call for African Union leaders.
Iran UN Sanctions
China and Russia's consent to the new UN Security Council resolution against Iran reflect the modest nature of the resolution and an underlying desire by both countries that Iran not aquire a nuclear deterent, rather than a more fundamental shift in geopolitical alignment.
The Bush Administration and the Global Arms Trade
With the “war on terror” entering its seventh year, the Bush administration is brokering dozens of foreign weapons deals in order to combat terrorism by re-arming Iraq and Afghanistan, containing North Korea and Iran, and cementing ties with onetime Russian allies.
Syria Officially Recognizes Lebanon Government
Syria officially ended 60 years of non-recognition this past week when it recognized Lebanon as a sovereign state and announced plans to exchange embassies with its neighbor. The diplomatic move comes at the end of decades of often acrimonious, and violent, relations.