Russia v. Ukraine – in an African Desert
EXCLUSIVE REPORTING — The column of Malian government soldiers and Russian mercenaries from the former Wagner Group was advancing through a shallow valley in the […] More
Africa
As U.S. Military Draws Down in Africa, Fears of Terrorism Rise
SUBSCRIBER+ EXCLUSIVE REPORTING — Last month, the U.S. and Niger announced that 1,000 American troops would withdraw from Niger “no later” than September 15, following […] More
South Africa Reminder: Freedom Fighters Don’t Always Make Good Rulers
OPINION — In Cold War Angola in the early 1980s, all the liberation movements were located in the Rua da Liberdade on the eastern outskirts […] More
After Saying “Never Again,” Will the World Respond to Genocide in Darfur?
SUBSCRIBER+ EXCLUSIVE REPORTING – Afraid to show his face and wedged into an overstuffed refugee camp on Sudan’s border with Chad, a middle-aged man named […] More
The Latest
UN Peacekeepers on the way out as Terrorists gain ground in Mali
CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING — As the Mali government grapples with political turmoil, a splinter faction of the militant group ISIS, known as ISIS-GS or ISIS in the […] More
Africa’s ‘Coup Belt’ is a Problem for the West
EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIBER+ INTERVIEW – The former head of Gabon’s presidential guard has been sworn in as the country’s new president, just days after a military-led […] More
Exclusive Interview: BRICS Offers a Glimpse of What a New Global World Order Could Look Like
SUBSCRIBER+ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW – If there were an indicator of what a new world order could look like, it was likely on display during last […] More
What’s Happening in Niger Should be on Everyone’s Radar
OPINION — In late July 2023, the democratically elected President of the West African nation of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, was overthrown by members of the […] More
Fighting in Sudan has Far-Reaching Implications
SUBSCRIBER+EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW – Hundreds of Americans fled Sudan over the weekend in two convoys headed for port cities. The U.S. government led evacuations some two […] More
As Tsai Meets McCarthy, Experts Warn: War Over Taiwan Would Run Through U.S.
CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING – As Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday fulfills a historic meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the specter of strained Sino-U.S. relations […] More
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
An Expert Brief on Economic Security, Investment and Jurisdictional Risk
A rarely discussed but high impact trend that seems to have been amplified by the COVID-19 virus is affecting investment in countries that have traditionally […] More
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
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
OSINT Global Trendline Report: The Middle East and Africa
The Cipher Brief’s Open Source Trend Line Report utilizes open source data on a quarterly basis to track trends around the world that impact national and global […] 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