Standstill

Listening to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s narrative of the Ukraine war, one might think that Russia mistakenly found itself embroiled in a conflict, almost as if it was compelled to invade its neighbor. During a recent press conference at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin remarked that he had previously expressed to former U.S. President Joe Biden the importance of steering clear of conflicts, stating, “Conflicts, especially hot conflicts, must be avoided, and that all issues should be resolved…

Somalia: Escalating Tensions in Jubaland's Electoral Dispute with FGS KISMAYO, Somalia - The frosty rapport between Jubaland and Mogadishu shows no signs of thawing anytime soon, as the road to reconciliation stretches on. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre throws a stern reminder against deploying regional forces to tilt election outcomes. Jubaland officials, now acting without a handshake deal with Mogadishu, have tossed their hat in the ring, opting for indirect elections over the one-person, one-vote approach championed…