Author: M Barbu

Neo-Colonialism: Born in the USA!

While the meaning and practice of “colonialism” hardly needs to be described, the meaning of “neo-colonialism” is far less understood. This is because neo-colonialism is much less evident to the eye, unless, that is, one cares to look for it. Let us begin our search with the dictionary definition of the term. Merriam-Webster defines “neo-colonialism” as: “The economic and political policies by which a great power indirectly maintains or extends its influence over other areas or people.” Here the operative word is ‘indirectly’ though I suggest that instead of ‘influence’ a more accurate definition is: ‘control’, i.e. control over other areas or people including control of their natural resources and labor.

Why Nonalignment Is an Urgent Imperative for the Global South

South Africa and other countries that have abstained from voting against Russia at the United Nations General Assembly in response to the war in Ukraine face intense international criticism. In South Africa, the domestic criticism has been extraordinarily shrill, and often clearly racialized. It is frequently assumed that abstention means that South Africa is in support of the Russian invasion, and this is either due to corrupt relations between Russian and South African elites, or nostalgia for support given to the anti-apartheid struggle by the Soviet Union, or both.

Scenarios of Russian war outcome

When the US became involved in both world wars in the 20th century, all sides knew the outcome would be in favor of US allies. However, they had no idea of the length nor could they guess that the terms of the Paris Peace Treaty of 1919 would be the first long-term cause of WWII, any more than anyone could predict that WWII would end with the US dropping nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Cost of the Ukraine War Felt in Africa, Global South

While international news headlines remain largely focused on the war in Ukraine, little attention is given to the horrific consequences of the war which are felt in many regions around the world. Even when these repercussions are discussed, disproportionate coverage is allocated to European countries, like Germany and Austria, due to their heavy reliance on Russian energy sources.

The Economic Consequences of the War

Why the Conflict in Ukraine Is a Disaster for the Poor of This Planet

In 1919, the renowned British economist John Maynard Keynes wrote The Economic Consequences of the Peace, a book that would prove controversial indeed. In it, he warned that the draconian terms imposed on defeated Germany after what was then known as the Great War — which we now call World War I — would have ruinous consequences not just for that country but all of Europe. Today, I’ve adapted his title to explore the economic consequences of the (less than great) war now underway — the one in Ukraine, of course — not just for those directly involved but for the rest of the world.

Russian Forces Storm Mariupol Azovstal Steel Plant After Civilian Evacuation

SOFREP’s Guy McCardle had recently reported on evacuations being underway at Mariupol’s Azovstal Steel Plant complex after months of heavy bombing from the Russian forces. Today, over 150 women and children who hid in underground bunkers have successfully reached safety in Zaporizhzhia as per the ICRC. According to reports, it was the first time the civilians saw the light in 2 months.

Ukrainian Special Forces Have ‘Stug-Buggies’ Out Hunting Russian Tanks

A peculiar Ukrainian military buggy has been spotted being used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to fight off Russian tanks. How do we know that these all-terrain vehicles are blowing up tanks? Well, it has a Stugna-P anti-tank guided missile mounted on top of it. The resourceful Ukrainians are at it again with their unique weapons, with this Stugna-P mounted on a buggy.

Évaluation de la coalition Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) au Sahel

Webinaire

7 avril 2022

Le Centre d’études stratégiques de l’Afrique organisera un webinaire qui examinera en profondeur les origines, les objectifs et les moteurs de la coalition Jama’at Nusrat Al Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), affiliée à Al-Qaïda, au Sahel. L’analyse tiendra compte de la dynamique de la composition du groupe, de ses objectifs au fil du temps, ainsi que des facteurs politiques et économiques qui lui ont permis de persister.

Les pertes d’armes alimentent les groupes militants en Afrique

La perte de munitions et d’autres matériels létaux par les forces armées et les opérations de paix africaines est un facteur clé du maintien des groupes militants à l’origine de l’instabilité sur le continent.

En l’espace d’une semaine, en février 2021, des militants de l’État islamique en Afrique de l’Ouest (EIAO) ont envahi les bases militaires nigérianes des villes de Marte et de Dikwa, dans l’État de Borno. Plus de 20 soldats ont été tués dans ces attaques. Les militants ont probablement saisi au moins une demi-douzaine de véhicules et des centaines d’armes. Les incidents ont été importants mais non exceptionnels.