- American, French journalist killed in Syrian bombardment of Homs (+video)
- Nuclear talks with Iran? Senators implore Obama to draw line in the sand.
- Climategate sequel? Scientist lies to get Heartland Institute documents.
- High gas prices: How big a problem for Obama?
- Obama sings the blues with Mick Jagger, B.B. King (+video)
Topic: Somalia
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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5 ways Americans and Iranians are surprisingly similar
Despite escalating US-Iran tensions, remarkable similarities between their peoples have prompted some to suggest that the US and Iran could one day be powerful ‘natural’ allies.
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Pentagon budget: top 3 winners and losers
In Pentagon parlance, the word “cut” is a relative term. The Defense Department’s base budget decreases from $553 billion this year to $525 billion in 2013, but it rebounds steadily to $567 billion in 2017. With this in mind, here are the top three winners and losers:
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Famous US Special Forces operations
Here are six of the most famous successful American special operations missions in recent memory.
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What is Nigeria's Boko Haram? 5 things to know
The Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram has generated headlines with a number of bloody attacks. Scott Baldauf breaks down the group's origins, funding, and possible ties to Al Qaeda.
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Eight ingredients for a peaceful society
What makes for a peaceful society? Hot spots from Congo to the Middle East would benefit from such knowledge. But so would the United States, which, at home, isn’t always so harmonious and abroad, is still at war in Afghanistan.
Michael Shank, vice president of the Institute for Economics and Peace’s US office gives his take on eight ingredients America needs to build a peaceful society.
All Content
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Will a London conference help set Somalia on path to peace?
Somalia aid groups and experts welcome renewed international attention, but warn that a focus on either state-building or military action alone could make things worse rather than better.
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Islamist attacks draw Nigeria and US military closer
Dealing with Islamist groups such as Nigeria's Boko Haram will require more than a purely military approach, although Nigeria welcomes training from the US military's Africa Command.
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Foiled suicide bombing of US Capitol: plot is both familiar and strange
Since 9/11, a series of would-be attackers – many of them 'lone wolves' – have been thwarted by undercover agents posing as collaborators. But an attempted suicide bombing is unusual.
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Africa Monitor
Eritrean opposition takes its politics online
Opposition leader Mohammed Ali Ibrahim disappeared this week, and opposition-run websites wasted little time in disseminating information in multiple languages.
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Why Ethiopia's authoritarian style gets a Western nod
Ethiopia is a geostrategically important ally in the West's efforts to battle extremism in the Horn of Africa. Western leaders have also emphasized its progress in battling poverty.
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Helpers in a hostile world: the risk of aid work grows
Some 242 aid workers were killed in 2010, up from 91 a decade before. Is 'humanitarian space' shrinking, or are aid groups spreading out to more conflict zones than before?
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Somalia's Al Shabab launches suicide attack ahead of talks
Car bomb kills 15 in the government-controlled center of Mogadishu just weeks before Somali officials attend a London conference on long-term solutions to country's unrest.
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Congo: National elections now only hurt democracy
What the Democratic Republic of Congo needs is not another national election but a rethinking of how the state might be reorganized. In the long run, only a decentralized system of government – or perhaps a partition of the country – is likely to produce accountable leadership.
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With oil pipeline attack, Niger Delta rebels announce return
After a year long truce, Niger Delta rebel group MEND launched an attack on an oil pipeline. MEND's attacks come as Nigeria's military is struggling with the Islamist Boko Haram movement in the north.
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Carl Levin calls Romney's defense budget criticism "just a political statement"
The chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee and senior Senator from Michigan said even with reduced funding, US military has "shown our capabilities, shown our adeptness."
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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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Africa asks itself: Where is the aid money?
African nations pledged five months ago to do more to help each other when famine and disaster strike. But so far, they haven't come up with the promised cash.
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5 ways Americans and Iranians are surprisingly similar
Despite escalating US-Iran tensions, remarkable similarities between their peoples have prompted some to suggest that the US and Iran could one day be powerful ‘natural’ allies.
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African Union summit: disunity on display
With the leadership of the African Union in question, old powers like France and new powers like China are vying for influence. Will peacekeeping missions and conflict resolution efforts suffer?
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Wanted Women
What the West can learn from two fiercely intelligent Muslim women who took opposing paths in life.
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Somali pirate captors move US hostage after SEAL raid
After the US Navy SEAL rescue of American and Dane hostages this week, Somali pirates say they will move other hostages around, and will kill hostages if they are attacked.
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Pentagon budget: top 3 winners and losers
In Pentagon parlance, the word “cut” is a relative term. The Defense Department’s base budget decreases from $553 billion this year to $525 billion in 2013, but it rebounds steadily to $567 billion in 2017. With this in mind, here are the top three winners and losers:
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Carl Levin: Mitt Romney criticism of Obama defense budget not factual (+video)
In recent Republican presidential primary debates, Mitt Romney has blasted President Obama's plan to trim defense spending. Senator Carl Levin says his criticism is just politics.
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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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Daring special forces raid shows Somali pirates are on the run
The SEAL Team Six rescue of an American hostage shows US special forces are tightening the noose on increasingly desperate Somali pirate groups, military analysts say.
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Kidnapped US aid contractor reportedly held by militants in Pakistan
Some five months after Warren Weinstein was kidnapped, the US aid contractor is reported to be in the custody of a Pakistani Al Qaeda affiliate, McClatchy Newspapers reports.
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Famous US Special Forces operations
Here are six of the most famous successful American special operations missions in recent memory.
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SEAL Team 6 rescue in Somalia frees two from pirates' lair (+video)
SEAL Team 6 members raided a compound in Somalia early Wednesday to free two hostages held by pirates since October. The raid signals that US 'will not tolerate' abductions of Americans, Obama said.
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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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Attack on foreign tourists widens rift between Ethiopia, Eritrea
Five European tourists, touring the spectacular volcanic moonscape of the Danakil Depression, were killed by unknown gunmen. Ethiopia blamed Eritrea, promises tough action.
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