False Security: Donald Trump and the Ten Commandments (Plus One) of the National Security State

By Andrew Bacevich Let us stipulate at the outset that Donald Trump is a vulgar and dishonest fraud without a principled bone in his corpulent frame. Yet history is nothing if not a tale overflowing with irony. Despite his massive… Continue Reading

Intra-Gulf Competition in Africa’s Horn: Lessening the Impact

by International Crisis Group What’s new? Middle Eastern states are accelerating their competition for allies, influence and physical presence in the Red Sea corridor, including in the Horn of Africa. Rival Gulf powers in particular are jockeying to set the terms… Continue Reading

Who are These “Jihadists” Who Are Defeating the French Army in the Sahel?

by Rémi Carayol The French army takes pride in regularly announcing “victories” in the Sahel, where it has been operating for five years under the name “Operation Barkhane.” These may be the destruction of munitions dumps, motor vehicles or camps… Continue Reading