- Syrian general gunned down in Damascus
- The Greek debt conundrum, explained
- Helpers in a hostile world: the risk of aid work grows
- Steve Jobs FBI file: four humanizing revelations
- Pressure for Western intervention in Syria builds with fresh assaults (+video)
- Why Egypt may not care about losing US aid
Somalia
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Africa Monitor
Rapper 50 Cent joins battle against Somali hunger
The multimillionaire rap star 50 Cent took a tour of a displacement camp inside Somalia to raise awareness on hunger. Does it help when celebrities do good?
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Famine ends in Somalia, as drought looms in West Africa
Aid groups say that improved harvests and food donations have ended risk of starvation, but warn that ongoing war in Somalia could still reverse gains made.
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Terrorism & Security
SEAL Team 6: Somalia rescue illustrates new US military strategy
The Obama administration has spoken of the need for a 'smaller, more agile' military. Covert operations such as the one that rescued two aid workers in Somalia are part of that strategy.
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American, Dane rescued by US commandos inside Somalia
Members of Navy SEAL Team 6, the unit that killed Osama bin Laden, rescued the hostages from pirates inside Somalia.
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Africa Monitor
Kenya’s foray into Somalia sows seeds of backlash at home
As Kenya attempts to pacify the Islamist Al Shabab movement in Somalia, issues of poverty and security may go unaddressed back home, says guest blogger Alex Thurston.
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Somali Islamists ban aid groups, renewing famine concerns
Somalia's Islamist insurgency banned Western aid agencies from its territory, raising concerns that famine could return to parts of the northeast African nation.
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Terrorism & Security
Kenya, Somalia look for international help to fight Al Shabab
As much as half of Al Shabab's income comes from businesses in the Somali port city of Kismayo. Kenya and Somalia have requested international support for a naval blockade on the town.
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Somalia famine could cause militant Al Shabab group to splinter
The Somalia famine has exacerbated divisions within the Islamist militant group Al Shabab, whose more pragmatic leaders want to allow Western food aid into the areas they control.
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Africa Monitor
US drone strikes in Somalia likely to rally local support for militants
Even Somalis who are not members of the local militant group Al Shabab may see US drone strikes on the group as an unwelcome foreign intervention.
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Africa Monitor
Withdrawals, lack of pay for African Union's Somalia forces could thwart progress
The African Union Mission in Somalia has been gaining ground against Al Shabab, but threats of countries withdrawing soldiers and failure to pay others could set back that progress.
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Africans debate impact of Osama bin Laden killing
Kenya greeted Osama bin Laden's death as "justice." Other countries worry that America's battle against terrorism masks an attempt to expand military influence in Africa.
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Africa Monitor
New semiautonomous region in Somalia vows to fight Al Shabab
The creation of Jubaland/Azania was driven by the need to fight the Al Qaeda-linked militant group, Al Shabab, but it's unclear whether the new region will be able to do that effectively.
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Madagascar captures Somali pirate 'mother ship.' Now what?
The capture of a Somali pirate 'mother ship' north of Madagascar, some 2,500 miles from Somalia, has highlighted this impoverished island nation's outdated piracy laws.
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Why did Somali pirates kill four American yachters?
As US forces negotiated the release of four Americans captured while yachting in the Arabian Sea, Somali pirates shot and killed them today. The incident raises questions about the new military approach to piracy.
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Terrorism & Security
Pirates seize oil tankers, putting oil supply routes at risk
Pirates' seizure of two oil tankers in the past two days threatens oil supply to the West and ramps up pressure on navies to take more aggressive action.
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India pushes back on Somali pirates' new 'mother ship' offensive
Indian naval forces have shut down two Somali pirate “mother ships” operating close to the subcontinent, highlighting the increased range and sophistication of the pirates.
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Africa Monitor
Somalia transitional parliament extends term three years, prompting criticism
The vote of Somalia's transitional parliament to extend its term may damage its international credibility and undermine support in the West.
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South Korea set to try captured Somali pirates
Five Somali pirates flown Sunday to South Korea are blaming the hijacking of the Samho Jewelry tanker on eight other pirates who were killed when South Korean navy seals rescued the vessel and its 21 crew members on Jan. 21.
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South Korea delivers setback to Somali pirates, and a warning to North Korea
Delivering what analysts saw as a thinly veiled warning to North Korea, South Korea President Lee Myung-bak praised his commandos' stunning rescue today of a freighter seized by Somali pirates.
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Terrorism & Security
Somali pirates lose battle to South Korean commandos, but who's winning war?
South Korean commandos rescued a 21-man crew from Somali pirates. The renegade gangs captured more hostages in 2010 than in any other year on record, and 22 incidents have already taken place in 2011.
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Terrorism & Security
South Korea dispatches destroyer to rescue tanker hijacked by Somali pirates
South Korea has dispatched 300 troops and a destroyer to secure the release of the Samho Jewelry tanker, which was hijacked recently by Somali pirates.
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Africa Monitor
Will Sudan referendum inspire secessionists elsewhere in Africa?
New countries borne of partitions and border changes are not common, but will partial autonomy in Somaliland lead to secession now that South Sudan provides an example?
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Africa Monitor
Ivory Coast, Sudan referendum: Africa stories to look out for in 2011
The year 2011 will include some big developments in Africa to look out for – Sudan's referendum and the continuing strife in Ivory Coast, among others.
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Africa Monitor
Is Al Shabab gaining or losing ground in Somalia?
Some say that African Union troops are succeeding at pushing back Somalia's rebel movement, Al Shabab, but news reports make it unclear whether that's really the case.
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Terrorism & Security
Historic Somali piracy trial in US wrapping up as German one opens
The Somali piracy trials, the first in centuries, have shed light on counterpiracy efforts. But some say the trials will not deter pirates, who have hijacked 37 ships in 2010 alone.
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