To Counter Russia’s Aggression, Invest in Africa

A transatlantic partnership with Africa can bolster democracies and global order for the long term.

The current struggle by Western democracies to isolate Russia over its assaults on Ukraine and international rule of law will be costly to sustain. Spiking prices for fuels, fertilizers and foods that Russia exports are risking wider socio-economic instability in many countries. A long-term solution must include a Western partnership to invest economically and politically in Africa, arguably Russia’s most formidable potential economic competitor. This strategy can strengthen a rules-based world against economic coercion by authoritarian powers, stabilize African democracies by enabling them to deliver for their people and strengthen international institutions and laws by including African countries more fully in them.

Tunisia’s Twin Democracy and Economic Crises Push it to the Brink

Tunisia experts examine recent events and discuss what we might expect to see in the weeks to come.

Last July, Tunisian President Kais Saied suspended parliament in what many observers called a bloodless coup. Saied’s supporters — of which there are many — claim that this extreme executive action was necessary to root out rampant government corruption and ineffectiveness. Polling at the time showed widespread dissatisfaction with the performance of parliament and the prime minister; many Tunisians felt that their high expectations following the 2011 popular revolution were not realized and that the country was heading in the wrong direction.

Quinze mois de captivité au Mali pour le journaliste français Olivier Dubois

Cela fait 15 mois qu’Olivier Dubois est en détention. Le journaliste français a été enlevé le 8 avril 2021 à Gao, dans le nord du Mali, alors qu’il était en reportage. Depuis, notre confrère, qui travaille notamment pour Libération, Jeune Afrique ou encore Le Point, est apparu dans deux vidéos, dans lesquelles il confirme être l’otage du Jnim, le Groupe de soutien à l’Islam et aux musulmans, lié à al-Qaïda au Maghreb islamique.

Russian Ruble Drops 17% Amid Falling Exports, Rumored Intervention

The Russian ruble extended a recent slump Thursday, declining 17% against the U.S. dollar in 48 hours to reach its lowest level since late May.

The ruble hit 64.5 against the greenback during morning trading on the Moscow Exchange as the Russian authorities apparently intervened in currency markets to stop the ruble from strengthening and energy exports to Europe declined.

Lavrov Walks Out of G20 Talks as West Presses Moscow on Ukraine

Russia’s top diplomat stormed out of talks with G20 foreign ministers meeting in Indonesia on Friday as Western powers criticized Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

Washington and allies condemned Russia’s assault ahead of the meeting before Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov faced what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called a barrage of Western criticism at the closed-door talks.