Rethinking US – Africa Engagement
ACADEMIC INCUBATOR — There have been many articles and studies written recently about the continent of Africa. The focus of these articles is on Great […] More
Archive for ‘Africa’
Amid Normalization with Israel, Sudan’s Future Hangs in the Balance
Gary Grappo is a former U.S. ambassador who held senior positions including Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; U.S. Ambassador […] More
Northeast Nigeria’s Growing Insecurity Threatens Humanitarian Aid Workers and Civilians
Bottom Line Up Front In the last 12 months alone, a total of 24 aid workers have been killed by non-state armed groups operating […] More
What Turning a Blind Eye to the World Will Cost Us
John McLaughlin served as the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2000-2004 and Acting Director of the CIA in 2004. He is a […] More
Spreading Violence and Growing Instability Plague Northern Mozambique
Bottom line upfront The northern Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique is experiencing a significant increase in terrorist attacks, which in turn is driving growing […] More
The OSINT Global Trendline Report
This expert-driven national-security insight can’t be generated for free. We invite you to support quality content by becoming a Cipher Brief Level I Member . Joining […] More
OSINT Global Trendline Report: The Middle East and Africa
This expert-driven national-security insight can’t be generated for free. We invite you to support quality content by becoming a Cipher Brief Level I Member . Joining […] More
OSINT Global Trendline Report: COVID and the Americas
This expert-driven national-security insight can’t be generated for free. We invite you to support quality content by becoming a Cipher Brief Level I Member . Joining […] More
Coronavirus Exacerbates Growing Conflict and Insecurity in Africa
Bottom Line Up Front Cases of coronavirus are now reported in most African countries. Several African countries have seen a steadily growing number of […] More
Combatting Terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel
Cipher Brief Expert Emile Nakhleh is a retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service Officer and founding director of the CIA’s Political Islam Strategic Analysis Program Office. […] More
France Reconsiders Force Posture in the Sahel Amid Surging Violence
Bottom Line Up Front Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS) is now seen by France and Sahelian countries as the greatest security threat in […] More
OSINT Global Trendline Report
This unique national-security focused expert insight can’t be generated for free. We invite you to support this kind of quality content by becoming a Cipher Brief […] More
OSINT Trendline Report – The Middle East and North Africa
This unique national-security focused expert insight can’t be generated for free. We invite you to support this kind of quality content by becoming a Cipher Brief […] More
Al-Shabaab is Resurging in Somalia
Bottom Line Up Front Al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group in Somalia, is resurging again and demonstrating the ability to launch attacks with impunity. Since […] More
The Cipher Brief’s OSINT Trend Line Report
This unique national-security focused expert insight can’t be generated for free. We invite you to support this kind of quality content by becoming a Cipher Brief […] More
Al-Qaeda is Strengthening Its Networks Throughout the Sahel
Bottom Line Up Front Al-Qaeda maintains a stronger position in the Sahel than Islamic State-affiliated groups. Although Western targets have been struck in recent […] More
The Islamic State in West Africa Province is Growing in Strength and Sophistication
Bottom Line Up Front It is probable that Islamic State core transferred its technological know-how to its West African province (ISWAP) through direct exchanges […] More
Sectarian Violence and Jihadist Terrorism in West Africa
Bottom Line Up Front Increasing sectarian violence has destabilized once peaceful Burkina Faso, transforming the country into a hotbedof militant jihadist activity. Fighters linked […] More
A Political Breakthrough in Sudan?
Bottom Line Up Front Following months of fighting, Sudan’s current ruling military government and the political opposition have forged a power-sharing agreement. What happens […] More
Sudan Protests Gain Momentum and Are Met With More Bloodshed
Bottom Line Up Front Pro-democracy protesters in Sudan reemerged in full force to demand a transition to a civilian-led government; demonstrations were met with […] More
Terror in Tunis
Bottom Line Up Front On June 27, the Tunisian capital of Tunis was rocked by twin suicide blasts that killed one police officer and […] More
The Struggle for Sudan Spills Across Borders
Bottom Line Up Front On May 6, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) once again pushed for a transfer to civilian […] More
Perpetual War in Somalia
Bottom Line Up Front On April 10, President Trump signed an extension of the emergency order authorizing the continuation of U.S. military operations in […] More
Libya Devolves Further Into Anarchy
Bottom Line Up Front A serious military escalation is underway in Libya as General Khalifa Haftar and his forces move to take Tripoli. The […] More