Almaddy2022, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Brooke Bihl Five African heads of state have broken ground to begin the construction of a $16 billion oil refinery in Kenya, which is expected to significantly boost the continent's production of the commodity. Prominent African leaders who attended the ceremony include Kenya's President William Ruto,... Continue Reading →
Ceuta and the Politics of the EU’s Fractured Migration Strategy
Ministry of the Presidency. Government of Spain (Attribution or Attribution), via Wikimedia Commons By Allie Heiniger In late July, more than 72,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on Morocco’s northern coast. Spanish authorities returned most of the migrants within days, but roughly 10,000 remained in Ceuta by early October, placing continued... Continue Reading →
Algeria and the UAE: A Diplomatic Rupture in a Changing Regional Order
LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Allie Heiniger On September 10, 2026, Algeria severed diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing Abu Dhabi of repeated “provocative or hostile” actions. Algeria expelled the Emirati ambassador and closed its airspace to UAE-registered aircraft, though it temporarily exempted commercial flights. The UAE responded... Continue Reading →
Fighting Escalates Across Ethiopia Between Armed Groups and Federal Forces
DoD photo by: MCC(AW/SW ERIC A. CLEMENT, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Brooke Bihl Renewed fighting throughout northern Ethiopia breaks out after a peace deal that ended the civil war between the Tigrayan rebels and the Ethiopian federal government nearly four years ago breaks apart. Authorities in the Tigray region released on Wednesday that... Continue Reading →
European Energy Security within the Context of the Iran Conflict
By Elizabeth Baughn Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and its consequential shocks to the entire European energy infrastructure, countries across the continent have sought to recover their industries and innovate ways of moving forward in the new, volatile environment. In many ways, Europe has made progress along this front, just beginning to benefit... Continue Reading →
Malians Struggle as Militia Imposes Fuel Blockade
By Abby Burczyk Since the end of October, Mali has been suffering from a widespread fuel blockade caused by a jihadist group. The fuel blockade has impacted nearly every aspect of life for Malians by forcing schools to close, impacting power supply to critical industries like healthcare, and resulting in food prices to dramatically surge.... Continue Reading →
The UN Continues to Debate the Sovereignty of Western Sahara
By Abby Burczyk On October 31, the United Nations Security Council backed a resolution for Western Sahara to maintain autonomy under Moroccan rule. Though Morocco has presented similar resolutions to develop governmental systems for Western Sahara since 2007, the most recent resolution was written by the United States. The Trump administration has been very supportive of... Continue Reading →
Rapid Support Forces Win Victory and Commit Tragedies in Sudanese Civil War
By Abby Burczyk On Sunday October 26, members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) declared that they have captured the city of El Fasher, Sudan. Since 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in civil war which has concerned the international community of ethnic cleansing and genocide. The RSF emerged in the early 2000s from the Janjaweed militia.... Continue Reading →
First Female President in Tanzania Sparks Protests
By Madelyn Williams Tanzania has elected its first female president. President Samia has taken office following an election that many describe as less of a contest and more of a coronation. She previously served as vice president under the former president until his death in office. Her predecessor was admired for his determination to stamp... Continue Reading →
Gen Z Protests Strike Madagascar
Madelyn Williams Malagasy protests in September led to a new government in October. The protests began as peaceful demonstrations over persistent power and water shortages. On September 19, 2025, two government officials were arrested for planning a peaceful rally in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo. This sparked outrage, particularly among Gen Z, who saw the arrests as an... Continue Reading →
