influence

BALIDHIDIN, Somalia — A lone figure lay on the sun-drenched ridge, a fallen Islamic State combatant, as Somali soldiers, heavily armed and determined, wound their way to a distant cavern. Their progress brought them to a new frontier against the global menace of the Islamic State. In the semi-autonomous region of Northeastern State, the threat has been growing. Foreign militants arrive in torrents, and these hostile infiltrators have turned Somalia into a pivotal launching pad for radical operations. By their side, money…

Strategic Maneuvering in the Horn of Africa: Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia Stand United Cairo - In an atmosphere that could only be described as palpable with intrigue akin to a well-played game of cards, Egypt is now more intertwined with Eritrea and Somalia than ever. Facing what it perceives as unwanted advances from Ethiopia—they've decided to shake things up a bit and build sturdy bridges that can withstand more than just the test of time. If you were to peek into Asmara in October 2024, you’d find the…

This is the scoop, folks. Somalia's got a bit of a step up in the realm of global travel documents. According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, the Somali passport is now sitting at 102nd place, granting free passage to 35 destinations all over the map. Let's take a quick jaunt back a few years — in 2015, Somalia's passport was limping at 108th spot. While a move to 102nd might seem like a crawl in progress, it feels like an anticlimax when you see how the United Arab Emirates leapfrogged 32 spots to touch the tenth with…

Egypt Plans Military Deployment in Somalia to Challenge Ethiopia's Influence in the Horn CAIRO, Egypt — As whispers circulate throughout the region, Egypt's gearing up to dispatch its military might to the rugged terrains of Somalia. This bold move is seen as a counterpunch to Ethiopia's growing hold over the Horn of Africa's geopolitical landscape, with Cairo eyeing a pivotal foothold to command the bustling waters of the Red Sea. Under the shadow of these regional chess games, Cairo will host powwows with Somalia from…

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has openly criticized the recent online discussions regarding child sexual exploitation, labeling them as riddled with falsehoods. He accused certain politicians of opportunistically capitalizing on sensationalized narratives, essentially "jumping on the bandwagon." In response to a rash of provocative posts from Tesla titan Elon Musk, Mr. Starmer remarked that "a line has been crossed" when individuals, including safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, face serious threats due to the…

Last night, the iconic singer Beyoncé graced a rally for Kamala Harris in Houston. This wasn’t a concert; rather, it marked her debut political appearance during this election cycle, a pivotal moment for the Democratic presidential candidate. Beyoncé, who hails from Houston, stepped onto the stage to an ecstatic ovation from approximately 30,000 attendees gathered for Vice President Harris' rally focused on abortion rights. She was joined by fellow Destiny's Child alum Kelly Rowland, who also solidifies her place in the…

Putin Shrugs Off Western Estrangement at BRICS Gathering, Plays Host to 36 Dignitaries to Boost Worldwide Clout KAZAN, Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin made a splashy comeback on the world platform, gathering 36 international figures at the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan. His move highlights Russia's undiminished sway, despite global attempts to sideline the nation over the Ukraine conflict. Held from October 22 to 24, 2024, this summit is a strategic gambit by Putin, signaling unity with the broadened BRICS posse…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a noteworthy pivot, Somalia's government has given the nod for Egyptian forces to step into the shoes of Ethiopian troops in the forthcoming African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), following a significant security agreement inked in August. Villa Somalia has thrown its support behind Egypt to spearhead AUSSOM, prompting Egypt to send preliminary teams to aid the Somali National Army (SNA), focusing on strategic routes often disrupted by the notorious Al-Shabaab militants.…

How Digital Banking is Transforming Somalia's Economy MOGADISHU, Somalia - The digital tidal wave sweeping through banking is poised to reshape Somalia's economic landscape, which is currently on an upswing thanks to improved security in various locales. Somalia's National Digital ID initiative aims to revolutionize banking services, spurred on by a collaboration between the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Somali Bankers Association (SBA). Abdiwali Tima'adde, the top honcho at NIRA, believes…