February, 2022

• 17 February

  Africa’s Ties With Europe Should Be Shaped by African Agency

  

  The sixth leaders’ summit between the African Union and European Union will finally take place this week in Brussels, following several postponements due to the coronavirus pandemic. Traditionally occurring every three years, the summit was initially scheduled for 2020. The AU-EU summit is often touted as the ideal venue for …

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• 17 February

  Draghi and Italy Have Been Missing in Action on the Russia-Ukraine Crisis

  

  Two stories out of Italy have attracted international attention this week: The country’s chaotic election of its president, and a controversial video conference between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian business leaders. Both highlighted the ways in which Italy, which could play an important role in the European Union on …

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• 16 February

  Somalia Conflict Update

  

  What happened? As Somalia’s long-delayed electoral process moved ahead amid reports of manipulation, the power struggle between President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmajo” and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble persisted; tensions ran high in Puntland and Hirshabelle states; and Al-Shabaab extended its grip. Why does it matter? Government institutions are divided …

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• 16 February

  Ethiopia Conflict Update

  

  What happened? Despite a lull in large-scale fighting since late December, the Tigray region’s forces continued to clash with fighters in the neighbouring Afar region where the humanitarian toll remained high; meanwhile, the armed conflict in Ethiopia’s largest region, Oromia, intensified. Why does it matter? The fragile lull in large-scale …

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• 16 February

  Lebanon Conflict Update

  

  What happened? The Lebanese lira’s value continued to diminish, reaching a record low and prompting the central bank to announce a new initiative aimed at currency stabilisation. Shiite parties Hizbollah and Amal ended their months-long boycott of cabinet meetings. Why does it matter? Lebanon’s economic crisis continued to worsen with …

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• 16 February

  Combat Troops March In The DRC After Attempted Coup D’état

  

  The Democratic Republic of Congo is the latest African nation to face an attempt to overthrow the government, allegedly by a government official. In the first official comment since reports of the failed coup plot emerged five days ago, a spokesman for President Felix Tshisekedi said the government had “serious …

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• 16 February

  Germany’s Scholz: West ‘Ready For Serious Dialogue’ With Russia Over European Security

  

  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Monday that Western countries “are ready for a serious dialogue with Russia on European security issues” but also are looking for Russian President Vladimir Putin to de-escalate his threat of an imminent invasion of Ukraine. Scholz offered a new opening to the Kremlin after meeting …

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• 16 February

  Ron Paul: Ukraine Crisis Is A Nightmare Caused By US Interventionism

  

  Over the weekend we heard that the US is evacuating its embassy in Kiev for fear of a Russian invasion. We also heard that Russia is evacuating its embassy in Kiev for fear of a US-backed provocation in eastern Ukraine that may lead to a Russian military response. We are …

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• 16 February

  Ukraine Crisis: Strategist Putin And The West

  

  Tensions are growing between Russia and the West on the Ukrainian border where Putin has deployed 100000 troops and in response, the Biden administration has deployed 3000 troops in Eastern Europe.. The divisive nature of the Ukraine crisis suggests that Kyiv has nonetheless struggled to forge an independent path–torn between …

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• 16 February

  China’s Modern Middle East Strategy: Strengthening Partnerships With Iran And Syria – Analysis

  

  The Middle East strategy of China is gradually progressing. Recently, an official agreement between the governments of Iran and China brought the 25-year comprehensive cooperation treaty into effect, while Syria signed an understanding to join the Belt and Road Initiative. Massive trade and investment initiatives have helped China establish itself …

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