Political and security risk updates from around the world. This week: Venezuelan government holds controversial special election for constituent assembly to rewrite the country’s constitution; Australian police disrupt terrorist plot to bring down aeroplane; al-Shabaab ambush and kill 23 African Union soldiers in southern Somalia; and more.
Tag: African Union
The weekly briefing, 31 January 2017: Donald Trump’s first week as US president marked by series of controversial executive orders, Islamic State’s Southeast Asia emir badly wounded in airstrike, Syrian government forces retake areas in Wadi Barada valley
Political and security risk updates from around the world. This week: Donald Trump’s first week as US president marked by series of controversial executive orders; Islamic State’s Southeast Asia emir and commander of Abu Sayyaf badly wounded in airstrike by Philippine military; Syrian government forces retake areas in Wadi Barada valley, which is home to Damascus’s main water source; and more.
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.