DIPLOMACY, ALLIANCES & TREATIES
Diplomacy on the Brink in West Africa
Regional cooperation blocs are everywhere becoming less cohesive, but the disintegration of the West African pioneer, ECOWAS, has perhaps been the most significant.
SECURITY, UNREST & WAR
Red Sea: Security Issue Surges as Ethiopian Situation Flares
Red Sea security suddenly went off the radar as far as the international community was concerned, but it is back and integrally related to the Persian Gulf crisis.
STRATEGY & INTELLIGENCE
STRATEGIC TRAJECTORIES | A Storm at the World’s Trade Hub: the Bab el-Mandeb
Some regional states can claim Washington’s attention, which makes the US’s possible moves over Somaliland recognition more delicate. Control over this East-West sea route hub is so critical to trade and strategic dominance that Trump may seize what leverage he wants and leave the details for later.
SECURITY, UNREST & WAR
The Opaque New Phase of the Red Sea Competition
Washington had, by late August 2025, finally begun to focus on the strategic importance of the Red Sea-Suez sea lane and the essential element of control of the littorals which dominate the trade passage. But it is late in joining the party.