Latest from James Barnett
Inside the Newest Conflict in Somalia’s Long Civil War
What began as a popular uprising in Las Anod against the administration of Somaliland, the rising star of the Horn of Africa that was praised until recently for its stability and nascent democracy, has transformed into a stalemate among some 20,000 heavily armed soldiers drawn largely from opposing clans.
A Lack of Security Could Undermine Elections in Nigeria
Africa's most populous country faces high levels of insecurity across all six of its geographical regions ahead of impending general elections. As the polling date draws near, there are fears it could be derailed if violence persists.
The Oil Thieves of Nigeria
Today, among all the other challenges weighing down Africa's most populous state, Nigeria must struggle to maintain a steady production of oil in a region where militants and ordinary citizens alike increasingly steal it straight from the pipeline.
No Respite on Ukraine’s Bloody Southern Front
“A war against Ukraine’s people.” In both Mykolaiv and the vital port city of Odesa, incessant bombardment has become a fact of life, with many waiting for the war to get worse.
Lviv Prepares for More War While Sheltering Refugees
It is tempting to take for granted that western Ukraine will be spared the full horrors of this war, particularly in light of Russia’s stalled or reversed advances further east. But the truth is that no one has any idea what Russian President Vladimir Putin is going to do next. And that is frightening.
The Bandit Warlords of Nigeria
Northwestern Nigeria is suffering from a devastating conflict that most observers are still struggling to characterize. The violence has received far less international attention than the jihadist insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast, perhaps in part because these militants defy easy categorization.