Navigating

In recent events, the expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool from the United States has ignited a robust response among South African analysts and politicians. Rasool’s remarks, highlighting what he perceives as Donald Trump’s alignment with a white supremacist agenda both domestically and internationally, have not only broadened the diplomatic discourse but also revealed deep fissures in international relations. This incident raises crucial questions: Are the well-established diplomatic protocols universally applicable, or…

Introduction In the heart of the Horn of Africa, Somalia stands at a precipice, caught in the tumult of political and constitutional crises. These challenges are not mere bumps in the road; they are profound dilemmas teetering on the brink of institutional failure. Imagine a car careening uncontrollably, an apt metaphor for Somalia's halted constitutional review, stymied by political spatters that have rendered the federal system dysfunctional. With the mandates of the current Federal Government and Parliament nearing…

The High-Stakes World of F4 Racing Even at the introductory level of F4, the thrill and competition are fierce and palpable. Take, for example, the 2023 Formula 4 Italian Championship, where out of 50 ambitious drivers participating across 23 adrenaline-filled races, only six managed to taste the glory of victory. This level of competition emphasizes the brutal truth: F4 is not for the faint-hearted. Across the ocean, the American counterpart, the F4 U.S.…

Imagine embarking on a career journey, only for the road to suddenly stop short. That was me in June 2021 when the startup I was pouring my energy into paused my marketing position due to financial constraints. Those initial weeks were surreal, like a plot twist in a novel no one saw coming. Contract gigs became my new norm until December 2021, when I finally found myself in the comfort of a full-time role again. Yet, in a narrative as unpredictable as life itself, I faced another layoff.…

Seeking a Raise: Strategies and Steps Towards Better Compensation Not long ago, Cory Stahle, a perceptive economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab, reminded us of a curious financial nugget: employees who take the leap to a new job often see greater wage growth than those who stick with their current gig. But, alas, in a twist of irony, such jumps may not be a simple game of hop, skip, and jump. U.S. companies, often considered the heartbeat of global industry, have reduced their hiring to a rate unseen in nearly a…

Somalia, a nation defined by resilience and transformation, has successfully navigated through the complexities of three distinct republics. Have you ever wondered how a country so profoundly shaped by history finds its footing amid winds of change? The current federal system, birthed from the Djibouti settlement in 2000, stands as a testament to Somalia’s enduring spirit. It is crafted upon the pillars of a parliamentary model, democratic processes, clan power-sharing, and regional autonomy. Yet, the political landscape in…

This past Sunday, a mortar attack rocked a military base in central Mogadishu, frequented by officials from the African Union (AU), United Nations, and various international entities, tragically ending the lives of at least two individuals and injuring several others. The terrorist group, Al-Shabaab, immediately claimed responsibility for the assault, highlighting their unyielding aggression in destabilizing Somalia’s government and infrastructure. Despite some headway in the federal government’s offensive to subdue…

    This week's episode of The Horn features an intriguing discussion as Alan sits down with Omar Mahmood, the senior analyst for Eastern Africa at Crisis Group, to delve into the growing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, the new Egypt-Somalia defense agreement, and the outlook for peacekeeping missions in Somalia. Kicking off the fresh season of The Horn, Alan converses with Omar Mahmood about the complex web of regional frictions involving Somalia, Egypt, and Ethiopia. They're set to examine the uncertain future of…