Recent Posts

The Middle East Abhors a Vacuum

It seems fantastical, but observers may soon look back on the late twentieth century as a period of relative stability in the Middle East. Although there was no shortage of conflict and mayhem, the violence rarely led to dramatic change. No states were conquered and eliminated outright. Dictators came and …

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Mali Accuses France of Spying After Video Emerges of Mass Grave

Mali has reprimanded France for “spying” after the French military released a video of what it alleged were Russian mercenaries burying bodies at a mass grave. Paris said the video, filmed using a drone, was of a military base near Gossi, in northern Mali. It accused Russian-linked mercenaries of joining …

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Italy’s ENI to tap North African gas for Europe

Europe’s race to reduce its energy dependence on Russia has put the spotlight on Algeria, Egypt and Libya, but their capacity to boost exports in the short term is limited and any significant increase would require large investments and stability. As Europe takes action to reduce imports of Russian gas …

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Mali: Extremist Group Claims Abduction of Russian Mercenary

Al-Qaida-linked militants in Mali say they have captured at least one Russian mercenary from the Wagner Group, a private military company with alleged links to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Extremists linked to al-Qaida say in a statement they have abducted at least one Russian mercenary, who they describe as a …

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