Africa’s Constantly Evolving Militant Islamist Threat

Fatalities linked to militant Islamist violence in Africa have surged by nearly 60 percent since 2021, though this is marked by widely varying regional threat trajectories, actors, and objectives.

Highlights

The threat from militant Islamist groups in Africa over the past decade has steadily grown—with almost three times the number of annual violent events (roughly 6,700) as in 2014. The reported 21,780 annual fatalities represent a 56 percent increase just from 2021.

Pakistan envoy concerned Afghanistan is being ‘forgotten’

Another 9/11 could originate from Afghanistan, which has been forgotten by the international community, Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan Asif Durrani said on Monday.

“Afghanistan has almost been forgotten. There is no doubt about it and this was in fact highlighted during the Doha 3 session in June.

Why’s Poland Reopening Its Investigation Into The Post-War Resettlement Of Ethnic Ukrainians?

This might have been done upon Ukraine’s demand as part of their newly clinched security pact’s requirement for standardizing historical narratives.

The Warsaw District Court recently ordered the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) to reopen its investigation into “Operation Vistula”, which was the forcible post-war resettlement of ethnic Ukrainians and other Polish citizens from the southeastern part of the country. The initial one that was launched in response to a request by the president of the Union of Ukrainians in Poland, the head of the Lemko Union, and one Ukrainian who was subject to resettlement concluded that it wasn’t a communist crime.

Threatened by a moderate Iranian president, Israel is pulling him into a fight

Israel prefers hardline leaders to maintain a monolithic view of the enemy. Its assassination in Tehran now forces the reformist Pezeshkian into a corner.

On July 5, Masoud Pezeshkian won the run-off elections in Iran to replace Ebrahim Raisi as president of the Islamic Republic, after the latter’s death in a helicopter crash in May. During the short campaign, Pezeshkian sought to win over voters with the basic platform of his reformist camp: restarting negotiations with the West to lift sanctions, building the economy, fighting poverty, and investing in housing, healthcare, welfare, and civil society. He was officially sworn in as president at the end of the month.

The daily battles to survive the Gaza genocide

Since October 7, my life has been split between two parallel realms. In the first, I go about my daily life as usual here in Turkey, where I work, visit my friends, do my routine shopping, and take care of my immediate family. In the second realm, I am immersed in the daily reports of the death, destruction, displacement, and fear that my family, friends, and neighbors are enduring in Gaza, and try to help them as much as possible.

No Place for Tajiks Here: How the EU is handing over refugees to the Rahmon regime over false accusations of ISIS links

Belgian authorities are expected to make a decision soon regarding Tajik refugee Sitoramo Ibrokhimova. She will most likely be extradited to the Rahmon regime, as was her sister, 27-year-old Nigora Saidova, who was sent to Tajikistan along with her seven-month-old daughter on charges of aiding terrorism, which, according to The Insider, were fabricated. In her homeland, Saidova was sentenced to eight years in the worst women’s prison, where prisoners face rape and torture. Poland has been denying refugee status to Tajiks year after year — they are among the top three in terms of refusals, after Russians and Iraqi citizens. Emomali Rahmon uses the fear of ISIS to persecute entire families of emigrants – these can be both relatives of terrorists and relatives of oppositionists, but, as The Insider and the Polish weekly Polityka found out, European authorities do not really understand the case materials and often extradite citizens to Rahmon against whom the charges are obviously falsified. According to human rights activists, sometimes those forcibly returned are extradited to Russians: they are interrogated on the territory of the 201st military base near Dushanbe – tortured and forced to confess about ties to Ukraine.

Moved by a new Kursk: why the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an operation on Russian territory

For over a week now, Ukrainian troops have been holding part of the Kursk region and, what’s more, expanding the combat zone. During this time, they have managed to occupy, according to various estimates, from 500 to 1,100 square kilometers and capture hundreds of prisoners. The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ offensive crosses the red line on the use of Western military equipment on internationally recognized Russian territory and clearly demonstrates that the presence of nuclear weapons does not guarantee protection from ground operations on the territory of the possessing state. But what are the ultimate goals of the Kursk operation? The Insider examines the main scenarios for the development of events.

Syria Today – ISIS Worrying Resurgence; Turkey Puts Forward Conditions for Withdrawal

The ongoing instability in Syria remains a significant concern for regional and international actors, as multiple reports highlight the persistent threat of the Islamic State (ISIS) and the complex geopolitical dynamics at play. According to a recent Wall Street Journal exclusive, U.S. forces are engaged in a covert campaign to contain an ISIS resurgence in areas previously cleared of the group. This effort includes airstrikes, surveillance, and targeted missions against ISIS leaders, as the group attempts to rebuild its strength in the Syrian desert. Meanwhile, U.S.-backed Syrian forces have escalated their operations in eastern Syria, clashing with pro-government militias in a region already fraught with tension. Amid these developments, Turkey has outlined strict conditions for its potential withdrawal from northern Syria, linking it to constitutional reforms and security guarantees, while Jordan faces funding challenges in its ongoing response to the Syrian crisis. In contrast, Mosul’s Governor has dismissed rumors of security deterioration along the Iraq-Syria border, asserting that the area remains firmly under control. These reports underscore the enduring complexity and volatility of the Syrian conflict, with implications that stretch far beyond the region.

Syria Today – Suffering of Syrians in Gaza; Pakistani Organization Builds Settlement in Afrin

As the Syrian conflict continues to unfold, various developments have emerged in recent weeks. A top Iranian military adviser has died from injuries sustained in a recent airstrike in Syria, while Syrian refugees in Gaza struggle to survive amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Meanwhile, Turkey and Syria are navigating a delicate diplomatic dance, with complex geopolitical influences and uncertainties at play. Additionally, a Pakistani organization is building a settlement in Syria’s Afrin region, raising concerns about land ownership, displacement, and environmental impact. These stories highlight the complex and ever-changing landscape of the Syrian conflict, with multiple actors and interests at play.

Investigation reveals Israeli forces stood by as settlers raided, torched Palestinian village

A senior defence official said Israeli soldiers did not do anything to stop a settler attack on Jit, which resulted in the killing of a Palestinian man.

Israeli army reservists stood by as dozens of armed Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank attacked Palestinian residents and torched their homes and cars, a preliminary investigation by Israel has revealed.