Open Briefing: Russia has forward deployed a squadron of MiG-31BM “Foxhounds” (a two-seat, long-range, supersonic, all-weather interceptor aircraft) to Rogachevo Arctic Airbase off the northern coast of Russia.
Category: Intelligence desks
Intelligence brief: Preliminary analysis of the “Austin Tice still alive” video
Open Briefing: A video purportedly showing missing freelance journalist Austin Tice has been posted on YouTube. Our analysis concludes that this is Tice but irregularities suggest the video might have been staged by Syrian government forces.
Making sense of political-related violence in Kenya
Open Briefing: Recent violence in Kenya is cause for great concern as we approach elections in March 2013. A history of political instigators of violence going unchecked has emboldened politicians looking for victory in a Balkanized state.
Taking stock in Somalia
Open Briefing: After 20 years of failed statehood Somalia now shows the first signs of a new political conjuncture that could bring about peace. However, al-Shabaab will continue to play a role in shaping the country's future.
Dossier: The prospects for peace in Thailand’s deep south
This Open Briefing dossier explores the roots of the slow burning Malay Muslim insurgency in Thailand's deep south and the complicated challenge it poses the country's Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra.
Iran’s secret weapon
This article from Open Briefing argues that Israel is unlikely to cease targeting human assets linked to Iran's nuclear programme, while Iran and its affiliates are equally unlikely to desist from hurting Jewish interests and Israeli citizens worldwide.
What now for the Philippines’ Communist insurgency?
In this article from Open Briefing, Maitreya Buddha Samantaray argues that local governments should be able to effectively deal with the insurgency in the southern Philippines despite the recent intensification in activities by the New People's Army.
Dossier: Iran, Israel and the consequences of military strikes
Tensions between Iran and key Western governments and Israel are entering singularly dangerous straits and the consequences of military strikes would be far reaching and serious ...
