News
Sudan: More Conflict for Khartoum?
Since South Sudan gained independence last January, the world’s newest country has many challenges to face. The government in Juba must quickly and efficiently address… Read More
Articles by Morgan Lorraine Roach
Congress Addresses Boko Haram Threat, but Will Nigeria’s Government?
A screen grab made on October 21, 2010 in Kano from a video allegedly released by the Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram in northern Nigeria… Read More
Morocco’s Elections: Quiet, If Not Indifferent
Last Friday, Moroccans headed to the polls to vote in the latest parliamentary elections since the constitution was reformed in July. The Islamist Justice and… Read More
The Truth Hurts: Bahrain’s Government Perseveres Following Release of BICI Report
This morning, the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) released its findings of the government’s response to protests that occurred in February and March. The… Read More
Arab Autumn: Elections, Crackdowns, and Sectarian Tensions Part III
Bahrain and Syria are countries ruled by sectarian minorities. Bahrain’s Sunni royal family rules over a Shia majority whereas the Assad regime, which rules over… Read More
Arab Autumn: Elections, Crackdowns, and Sectarian Tensions Part II
Libya and Yemen until recently were led by the longest-ruling dictators in the Arab world. Muammar Qadhafi’s death marks the official end of his 42-year… Read More
Arab Autumn: Elections, Crackdowns, and Sectarian Tensions Part 1
The promises of the “Arab Spring” wilted in many Arab countries during the long, hot summer, and now these nations face uncertain prospects in the… Read More
Egypt: The Military’s Chaotic Approach to Democratic Transition
Nine months ago, Egyptians were protesting in Tahrir Square, calling for former president Hosni Mubarak to step down from office. Today, Egyptians are demanding that… Read More
Al-Shabab’s Return to Mogadishu Signifies a Change in Strategy
When al-Shabab withdrew its frontline forces from Mogadishu last August, the terrorist group vowed to launch a wave of asymmetric attacks against the Transitional Federal… Read More
Awlaki’s Death: What Does It Mean for the Horn of Africa?
Earlier today, President Obama confirmed the death of Anwar al-Awlaki, the U.S.-born Islamist radical and an important leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)…. Read More
Bahrain Walks a Political Tightrope
Last weekend, Bahrain held special elections to fill 18 parliamentary seats left vacant after members of the Islamist al Wefaq party resigned last February amid… Read More
President Ali Abdullah Saleh Returns to Yemen—Can’t Take a Hint
President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s return to Yemen on Friday after four months in Saudi Arabia has sparked renewed violence after protestors launched demonstrations against the… Read More
Somaliland: A Reliable Partner in Combating Piracy
Piracy off the Horn of Africa increases every year due to constant instability in the region. In 2008, 111 vessels were attacked. Since the beginning… Read More
Osama’s Dead, but Terrorism Isn’t
Osama bin Laden was disposed of last April, but al-Qaeda’s intention to commit acts of terrorism against the U.S. and its allies is undeterred. In… Read More
Tunisia’s Hizb Al-Nahda: A Nightmare for Some and a Blessing for Others
Next month, Tunisians will go to the polls for the first time since former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled the country last January…. Read More
Qadhafi’s Friends in Africa: A Challenge for the TNC
While the Libyan rebels continue their search for deposed dictator Muammar Qadhafi, rumors abound as to where the former despot could be hiding. Some believe… Read More
News
Boko Haram Broadens Attacks, Strikes U.N. Headquarters
On Friday, a suicide bomber launched an attack against the U.N. headquarters in Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja. The Islamist sect Boko Haram (translated: “education… Read More
Nigeria: Boko Haram has al-Qaeda’s Backing
This summer, Boko Haram, Nigeria’s Islamist insurgency, has gained rapid notoriety following a string of brutal killings. While its attacks are domestic in nature, primarily… Read More
From East to West: Piracy in Africa
At the beginning of the month, Lloyd’s of London, the world’s leading marine insurance market, designated Nigeria and Benin as “war-risk” zones due to an… Read More
President Obama Jumps the Gun on Praising African Leaders
Last week President Barack Obama praised Presidents Yayi of Benin, Condé of Guinea, Issoufou of Niger and Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire as models of Africa’s… Read More
Nigeria Appeals to Islamic Militants
In recent months, Nigeria’s infamous Islamist militant group Boko Haram has increased its attacks against the Nigerian government and its people. Instead of addressing Boko… Read More
Take Two: Turkey’s Roadmap for Libya
Last March, Turkish President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an accused Western leaders of intervening in Libya in order to take control of… Read More
Turkish Elections and the Implications for European Union Membership
Last weekend’s parliamentary election in Turkey produced unsurprising results, with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) claiming victory with nearly 50… Read More
White House Invites Gabonese Tyrant into the Oval Office
President Obama has kept at least one campaign promise: agreeing to meet with nefarious world leaders. Yesterday, President Ali Bongo Ondimba from Gabon added his… Read More
Khartoum’s Occupation of Abyei Jeopardizes Peace in Sudan
In a matter of weeks, the Republic of South Sudan is scheduled to gain full independence. This step is the culmination of the 2005 Comprehensive… Read More
Wave of Protests Continues Across North Africa and the Middle East
In January, Heritage Senior Research Fellow Jim Phillips predicted that Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution would spark uprisings throughout the Arab world. Four months later, North Africa… Read More
Nigerian Presidential Election: Religious Tensions Threaten Democratic Progress
Almost immediately after it was announced that President Goodluck Jonathan won Nigeria’s presidential election this past weekend, violence erupted in many northern states. This post-election… Read More
After Months of Bloodshed, Côte D’Ivoire’s Dictator Falls
Early this morning, former president of Côte D’Ivoire Laurent Gbagbo was finally forced out of power. Seeking refuge in the bunker of his Abidjan residence,… Read More
Elections in Nigeria: Opportunity for Improvement
On April 9, Nigerians head to the polls to vote in the presidential and gubernatorial elections. Since 1999, when the country returned to civilian rule,… Read More
Côte d’Ivoire: Gbagbo’s Bloodshed Cannot Hide Weakening Power
Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire, is a war zone. Security forces loyal to former president Laurent Gbagbo are responsible for numerous murders and the… Read More
