Daniel C Giacopelli | openDemocracy

“Only war makes it possible to mobilize all of today’s technical resources while maintaining the property system.”

- Walter Benjamin, 1936

Assam rebels ready for peace talks

Daniel C Giacopelli 17 January 2011

A leader of the Indian separatist group Ulfa indicates he is ready for peace talks with the government. Unconfirmed reports emerge that China has stationed troops in northeast North Korea. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

UN departure from Nepal sparks fears of security vacuum

Daniel C Giacopelli 13 January 2011

After four years, the UN peace mission in Nepal will leave the country with an uncertain political and security future. Kyrgyz national commission blames Uzbeks for last year’s deadly ethnic violence. Sudan may be removed from the US state terror sponsor list by summer, officials say. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

Sri Lanka prohibits UN war crimes investigation

Daniel C Giacopelli 3 January 2011

Sri Lankan officials forbid the UN from conducting an independent investigation into alleged war crimes in that country. A new report claims that 57 journalists were killed around the world in 2010; 25% fewer than last year. All this and more in today's security briefing.

The year in security

Luke Heighton, Oliver Scanlan, and Daniel C Giacopelli 1 January 2011

openSecurity's briefings team highlight a selection of security developments from the past year and the clues they hold for 2011.

Brazilian paramilitary launch favela offensive

Daniel C Giacopelli 29 November 2010

War on Rio’s drug gangs pushes forward, with thousands of paramilitary forces involved. Moroccan security forces accused of deliberately targeting Western Sahara civilians. Protests occur as Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood claims election fraud. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

War crimes trial of Congolese militia leader begins at International Criminal Court

Daniel C Giacopelli 22 November 2010

War crimes trial begins of Congolese militia leader accused of turning blind eye to mass rape and killings. Circumstantial evidence emerges of Hezbollah link to Hariri’s assassination. Al-Qaeda boasts of parcel bomb plot in latest propaganda magazine. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

Fears of increased violence after top Mexican drug lord killed during day-long battle

Daniel C Giacopelli 8 November 2010

Feared drug lord ‘Tony the Storm’ killed in battle near the US-Mexico border. Post-election fighting causes thousands to flee Burma. Over half of fighters in Somali militias are children, says UN official. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

Bombing in Istanbul injures dozens on day that PKK ceasefire expires

Daniel C Giacopelli 1 November 2010

Bombing in Istanbul main square injures dozens and rattles nerves. Nato to reduce its Kosovo force by half. Iraqi hostage situation ends in bloody tragedy with at least 52 killed. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

New reports allege extensive Iranian involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan wars

Daniel C Giacopelli 25 October 2010

Further accusations of Tehran’s deep involvement in two ongoing wars. Tibetan student unrest over proposed language policy causes headaches for Beijing. Violence continues unabated in the streets of Karachi. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

Regional military force established to crack down on Lord’s Resistance Army

Daniel C Giacopelli 18 October 2010

Military campaign against central African rebel group intensifies. Yemen goes on the offensive against al-Qaeda. New report claims the global hostage-taking industry surges. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

Critical AfPak border crossing reopens to Nato convoys

Daniel C Giacopelli 11 October 2010

Pakistan reopens critical border crossing to Nato convoys. Heir-apparent and new missiles appear at North Korean military parade. Kyrgyz voters avoid violence in parliamentary election. Budget woes constrain UN war crimes tribunals. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

This week's editor

Niki Seth-Smith is a freelance journalist and co-editor of OurKingdom.

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