By Mohamed Gabobe* MOGADISHU, Somalia | 14 March 2025 (IDN) — A new African Union peace enforcement mission, known by its acronym AUSSOM, was launched at the beginning of the year to support a fragile Somali government that has struggled against a jihadist insurgency entrenched in the countryside. AUSSOM is the third iteration of a multinational combat […]
A Geologist Explains Why Ukraine’s Minerals Are Exceptional
By Munira Raji* PLYMOUTH, Devon, England | 13 March 2025 (IDN) — Ukraine’s minerals have become central to global geopolitics, with the US president, Donald Trump, seeking a deal with Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky to access them. But what are these minerals exactly, and why are they sought after? Ukraine is often recognised for its […]
Budget Crisis Exposes Contradictions in South Africa’s NU Government
By Pavan Kulkarni* NEW DELHI | 1 March 2025 (IDN) — South Africa’s two largest parties, allied in the Government of National Unity, disagree on how to resolve the budget crisis: The ANC wants to raise taxes on the poor to continue funding social programs, while the DA prefers to slash public expenditure. South Africa’s […]
US Threat to Cut Off Military Aid to Egypt & Jordan May Provoke Arms Suppliers
By Thalif Deen* UNITED NATIONS | 23 February 2025 (IDN) — President Donald Trump’s threat to cut off military aid to Egypt and Jordan—if they refuse to provide sanctuary to Palestinians removed from Gaza—is most likely to trigger protests from the US military-industrial complex, one of the most powerful lobbies in the US. Currently, Egypt […]
US-Russia Meeting in Riyadh Successful, More to Follow
Meeting Atmosphere Professional, Not Ideological By Stephen Bryen* This article was issued by Weapons and Strategy and is being republished with their permission. WASHINGTON, D.C. | 18 February 2025 (IDN) — Both the Russian and the US side say that the high level diplomatic meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the morning of February […]
BRICS Proves Increasingly Attractive for Middle Powers in The Region
By Marlies Linke* ALMATY, Kazakhstan | 17 February 2025 (IDN) — The sixteenth BRICS summit, held in Kazan, Russia from 22 to 24 October 2024, bore the slogan “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security”. According to its concluding statement, the summit was intended to demonstrate that the participating Global South countries are expanding […]
Was the AI Summit in Paris a Missed Opportunity?
By Simone Galimberti* KATHMANDU, Nepal | 16 February 2025 (IDN) — Since the start of the Paris AI Action Summit, held on the 10th and 11th of February, the expectations were minimal. Yet there was a trickle of hope that the gathering would succeed at maintaining a modicum focus on safety and security of artificial […]
Indonesia: The Waste Emergency in Yogyakarta
By Mirna Layli Dewi* YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia | 11 February 2025 (IDN) — Indonesia’s Yogyakarta Piyungan landfill, officially closed due to overcapacity, continues to receive waste, exacerbating environmental and health crises for local communities. Yogyakarta’s Piyungan landfill, officially closed since May 2024, continues to receive waste via motorbikes, worsening pollution and health risks for nearby residents. […]
Importance of the Indian Navy Frigate’s Visit to South Africa
By Guy Martin* The premier online African defence and security news publication defenceWeb issued this article. It is being republished with their permission. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa | 10 February 2025 (IDN) — The Indian Navy’s latest guided missile stealth frigate, INS Tushil, recenrly called in South Africa while on her maiden voyage home from Russia. […]
European Companies Feed the Dangerous Global Shadow Fleet
By Nathaniel Peutherer* LONDON | 9 February 2025 (IDN) — On 19 July 2024, the oil tanker Hafnia Nile was nearing its top speed when it collided with the supertanker Ceres I, off the east coast of Malaysia. Within minutes, flames engulfed both vessels, sending thick plumes of toxic smoke into the air. Several crew […]