By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden | 20 May 2025 (IDN) — President Donald Trump’s antagonism towards China existed before the Coronavirus. Despite his bonhomie with President Jinping Xi whenever he meets him, he has gone all out with his trade war. He refuses to negotiate an extension of the nuclear weapons reduction agreement with Russia […]
UN Reform Is Not a Floorplan. It’s a Reckoning
By Stephanie Hodge* UNITED NATIONS | 20 May 2025 (IDN) — Last week’s leaked UN80 reform blueprint offers a sweeping architectural plan for a more “streamlined” UN. It proposes merging development-related entities, relocating operations to Nairobi, cutting senior posts, and centralizing administration through a new Executive Secretariat. It reads like a rebrand of the UN system […]
Situation Report Horn of Africa: Suicide bombing kills 13 in Somalia
Situation in Sudan (per 19 May) Shelling of the Abu Shouk displacement camp by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed at least 14 people on Sunday. The local emergency response room stated that the shelling hit a market, mosques, and homes near public facilities. A full assessment of the damage and deaths in Abu Shouk […]
Myanmar: Military Leadership Prioritizes Its Survival Following Earthquake Aftermath
By Jan Servaes* BRUSSELS | 16 May 2025 (IDN) — The 28 March earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, has hit Myanmar hard. It was the strongest since 1912, with its epicenter in Mandalay, the country’s second-most populous city, the United States Geological Survey reported. The official death toll continues to rise. By the […]
How to Enable G20 To Address Major Challenges
By Danny Bradlow and Robert Wade* PRETORIA | LONDON | 16 May 2025 (IDN) — The G20 comprises 19 countries including: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom, and United States and two regional bodies, namely the European Union […]
Situation report Horn of Africa: TPLF’s legal status withdrawn by electoral board
Situation in Sudan (per 15 May) Drone strikes by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) hit two power stations, including Al-Markhiat substation and a distribution station in the city of Omdurman on Wednesday evening. The strike led to significant fires and widespread power outages across Khartoum. Port Sudan has faced renewed drone attacks for twelve consecutive […]
How to Crown an Impostor
By Azu Ishiekwene The writer is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the new book Writing for Media and Monetising It. ABUJA, Nigeria | 14 May 2025 (IDN) — Burkinabe leader Ibrahim Traore is acting like a rock star. It’s not entirely his fault. He’s receiving a lot of help from dozens of social media […]
Haiti Situation Report: Gran Grif attack kills 50 in Petite-Rivière
Situation in Haiti The Gran Grif gang launched a new wave of attacks on Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite on 30 April, following an earlier assault on 28 April. Residents fled across the Artibonite River to escape the violence. At least 50 people were killed, 60 others were injured, and 20 houses were set on fire. The […]
Heading For Nuclear War?
By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden | 13 May 2025 (IDN) — Four years ago, US Strategic Command, the part of the military responsible for nuclear weaponry and its use, posted an official Tweet which read, “We must account for the possibility of a conflict leading to conditions which could very rapidly drive an adversary to […]
Situation Report Horn of Africa: US refuses financial support to AUSSOM
Situation in Sudan (per 12 May) Port Sudan, El Fasher in North Darfur, West Kordofan, North Kordofan and West Darfur all saw heavy fighting in the last week. Over a week of drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Port Sudan has led to a shortage of water and disruption in electricity. The […]