As the nature and tempo of the crisis in Afghanistan shifts now that evacuation flights from Kabul have ended, it is crucial that those who have been providing remote support to Afghan partners take some time for self care. To help colleagues cope, we are running free workshops and have published an infosheet on compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and burnout.
Tag: Afghanistan
The weekly briefing, 9 May 2017: UN warns that conflict has displaced over two million children in South Sudan, civil unrest continues in Venezuela, head of Islamic State in Afghanistan killed
Political and security risk updates from around the world. This week: UNICEF and UNHCR warn that conflict has displaced over two million children in South Sudan; civil unrest continues in Venezuela after president signs executive order setting outs plans to rewrite country’s constitution; head of Islamic State in Afghanistan killed in joint US-Afghan special forces operation; and more.
The weekly briefing, 3 May 2017: US government considering troop surge in Afghanistan, tensions escalate along Indian-Pakistani border, Tunisian security forces disrupt alleged terrorist plot
Political and security risk updates from around the world. This week: Potentially-orchestrated leaks suggest US government considering troop surge in Afghanistan; tensions escalate along Indian-Pakistani border after Indian Army accuses Pakistani troops of killing two soldiers in Kashmir; Tunisian security forces disrupt alleged plot to carry out terrorist attacks during upcoming holy month of Ramadan; and more.
The weekly briefing, 25 April 2017: US defence secretary visits Afghanistan, further demonstrations against Venezuelan president, French police officer shot and killed in possible terrorist attack
Political and security risk updates from around the world. This week: US defence secretary visits Afghanistan amid calls for a troop surge; further demonstrations against the president take place across Venezuela; French police officer shot and killed in possible terrorist attack on Champs Elysees in Paris; and more.
The remote warfare digest
Open Briefing has produced a series of monthly intelligence briefings on remote warfare since April 2014. Periodically, we undertake a more in-depth assessment of the trends in remote warfare. This current report sets out the findings of the third such assessment. A key theme of this assessment is the adoption of remote warfare by state and non-state actors beyond the United States and its Western allies.
Remote-control warfare briefing #17, August 2016: NATO designates cyberspace as an operational domain, US releases official estimates of deaths from drone strikes, Iraqi special forces play critical role retaking Fallujah
Monthly briefing from the Open Briefing intelligence unit on developments in remote-control warfare. This month: NATO designates cyberspace as an operational domain and includes cyber attacks in Article 5; newly-released official estimates of casualties from US drone strikes step in right direction but too limited; Iraqi special forces play critical role retaking Fallujah from Islamic State; and more.
Afghan policy reversal reinstates special forces night raids
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has overturned the ban on special forces night raids. There is acute awareness of Afghan public opposition to night raids and the danger that the policy reversal may expose Ghani to some future political attacks. However, the fact that Ghani and the White House are willing to stir up negative public sentiment during a politically fragile period may give some indication of the seriousness with which they are taking the threat posed by a resurgence in Taliban activity.
Special forces, mercenaries, cyber warfare, drones and intelligence: Remote-control warfare briefing #7
Monthly briefing from the Open Briefing intelligence unit on developments in remote-control warfare. This month: Afghan policy reversal reinstates special forces night raids; historic verdict in Blackwater Iraq shootings trial could set precedent; United States facing multiple cyber offensives from state and non-state adversaries; and more.