Security Briefings

openDemocracy's security briefings provide comprehensive and incisive coverage of daily developments in international security.
Tuesday 22nd November

The Somalia dilemma

Josephine Whitaker, 22 November 2011
Foreign intervention is not the answer, argues Josephine Whitaker. The solution to Somalia’s problems must be found at home.
Tuesday 15th November

Is Iraq edging closer toward partition?

Jaffar Al-Rikabi, 15 November 2011
Just as the final U.S. troops are withdrawing, and just as the world’s attention is diverted on Syria and elsewhere, Iraq may steal the limelight a final time and bow and declare: before long, she may not be anymore.
Tuesday 1st November

Erdogan’s Turkey: strategic partner or liability for regional peace?

Jaffar Al-Rikabi, 1 November 2011
Turkey had been everyone’s friend as long as its foreign policy was driven by business and economic interest. Over the last couple of years, however, its ‘zero problems’ strategy has become more rhetoric than reality.
Tuesday 25th October

Nairobi hit by grenade attacks as Somalis turn against Kenyan incursion

Josephine Whitaker, 25 October 2011
Nairobi hit by grenade attacks as Somalis turn against Kenyan incursion. At least 279 killed in Turkey quake. Bloody weekend in Colombia just 10 days before elections. Indonesian police officer shot dead in Papua. All this in today’s briefing...
Saturday 22nd October

N Korea food crisis set to continue

Josephine Whitaker, 22 October 2011
N Korea food crisis set to continue. Turkey and Iran to collaborate against Kurdish rebels. Southeast Asia flooding kills hundreds, displaces thousands. Obama announces US troop withdrawals from Iraq. All this in today’s security briefing...
Tuesday 4th October

Voice of freedom is more powerful than any drone

Jaffar Al-Rikabi, 4 October 2011
The killing of Anwar al-Awlaki has dealt Al-Qaeda a major blow, but the more profound challenge to the terrorist group emanates from the spirit of the Jasmine revolutions.
Monday 26th September

Indonesian church bombing sparks fears of escalation in religious violence

Josephine Whitaker, 26 September 2011
Indonesian church bombing sparks fears of increasing religious violence. Guangdong riots over ‘landgrabs’. US drone crashes in Kismayo, Somalia. Fresh clashes hit southern Philippines . Shooting at ‘CIA station’ in Kabul. All this and more in today’s security briefing...
Thursday 22nd September

India’s advances into South China Sea met with criticism from Beijing

Radu Nikolaus Botez, 22 September 2011
In what is seen as a response to Chinese moves in South Asia, India embarks on joint oil and gas exploration with Vietnam in South China Sea. After last week's Kabul attacks, US sharpens tone with Pakistan. Romania joins European missile-defence shield, while Beijing criticizes Washington over a $5.3 billion arms sale to Taiwan. All this in today's security briefing...
Tuesday 20th September

International rivalry over Syria means conflict likely to intensify

Jaffar Al-Rikabi, 20 September 2011
In today's security briefing, Jaffar Al-Rikabi argues that rival interventions by outside powers threaten to intensify violence in Syria. Meanwhile, a gas discovery in the Eastern Mediterranean may add to disputes in the region.
Monday 12th September

Monsoon flooding causes chaos in Pakistan, India

Josephine Whitaker, 12 September 2011
Monsoon flooding causes chaos in Pakistan, India. Seven killed as police open fire on protestors in Tamil Nadu. Blast at French nuclear plant sparks fears of leak. At least 75 killed in Nairobi pipeline explosion. Troops sent to quell Indonesia clashes. All necessary measures authorised to stop Jos violence. All this and more in today’s security briefing...
Monday 5th September

In Arab Protests, Oil Role Defies Simple Explanations

Jaffar Al-Rikabi, 5 September 2011
Oil is perhaps the most commonly cited factor in explaining the course of the various Arab revolutions in train since the Spring, but compared across countries its influence proves less decisive than generally suggested, argues Jaffar Al-Rikabi.
Tuesday 30th August

Supreme Court orders inquiry into ethnic violence in Karachi

Josephine Whitaker, 30 August 2011
Al Qaeda claims responsibility for Algeria bomb attack. Sudan announces ceasefire in South Kordofan. Up to 160 killed in Turkish attacks on Northern Iraq. Boko Haram claims responsibility for UN attack. All this and more in today's security briefing...
Monday 15th August

All sides guilty of breaching international law in Somalia

Josephine Whitaker, 15 August 2011
All sides guilty of violating international law in Somalia, says new report. Wave of attacks rock Iraq. Assault on Syrian port enters third day. US officials reject report on drone death figures. Gaddafi defiant as rebels claim control of West. All this and more in today’s briefing...
Wednesday 10th August

Islamabad under scrutiny from China as Pakistan-trained terrorists blamed for attacks in Xinjiang

Radu Nikolaus Botez, 10 August 2011
China publicly links recent attacks in Xinjiang province to Pakistan-based terrorist group. Radical anti-US cleric al-Sadr warns Washington that military trainers could become targets. After years of fighting, al-Shabab withdraws from Mogadishu. NATO, Kosovo and Serbia reach agreement following violent clashes between ethnic groups in northern Kosovo. All this in today's security briefing...
Monday 8th August

A Middle Eastern recipe of strife and blood, sprinkled with tempered hope

Jaffar Al-Rikabi, 8 August 2011
As Ramadan begins, we look at how the Arab Spring turns into an Arab Summer with increasingly messy situations in Syria, Bahrain, Libya, and beyond. This and more in today's security briefing...
Monday 1st August

Syrian government marks start of Ramadan with bloody crackdown

Josephine Whitaker, 1 August 2011
Syrian government marks start of Ramadan with bloody crackdown. Eritrean government backed planned to bomb AU summit, according to UN report. Fresh violence in Papua leaves 21 dead. Chinese government announces crackdown on Uighur “terrorists” after a weekend of violence. Arrested kingpin admits to ordering 1500 murders. Geelani slams Indian government intransigence in Kashmir as Indo-Pak peace talks resume. All this and more in today's briefing...
Friday 29th July

Libyan rebel military chief assassinated

Oliver Scanlan, 29 July 2011
The commander of Libyan rebel military forces has been murdered in Benghazi. Israeli President Shimon Peres is reportedly engaged in clandestine talks with Palestinian representatives. In Afghanistan, 23 people have been reported killed by roadside bombs. All this and more, in today’s security update…
Wednesday 27th July

Visa spat reveals instability of India-China relations

Radu Nikolaus Botez, 27 July 2011
China issues stapled visas to persons from the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, leading to renewed questions about the future of relations between New Delhi and Beijing. The FBI arrest an allegedly Pakistan-backed Kashmiri lobbyist. In China's Xinjiang province, police forces clash with Uighurs said to have links with the East Turkistan Islamic Movement. India and the US meet for the second round of their strategic dialogue. All in today's security briefing.
Wednesday 20th July

Power dynamics in Afghanistan shift after a series of assassinations

Humayun Saleem, 20 July 2011
Hamid Karzai’s political influence in southern Afghanistan diminishes as his brother Ahmed Wali Karzai and adviser Jan Mohammed Khan are assassinated. Mumbai responds to bombings with promise of security overhaul. Libyan rebels and government forces engage in fierce clashes. UN gives aid to Islamist run camps in Somalia.
Tuesday 19th July

Civilians bombed in Sudan border state

Josephine Whitaker, 19 July 2011
Civilians bombed in Sudan border state. British army cut, reserves bolstered. Yemeni security forces begin offensive to retake Zinjibar. First Afghan province handed over to local forces. Court orders withdrawal from Cambodian temple. All this and more in today’s security briefing...
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