Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabab Merger Could Increase Homegrown Terrorism
On February 9th, Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri announced that Al-Shabab was officially joining al-Qaeda. In an exclusive interview with LIGNET’s London office, Al-Shabab expert Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens explains why the two have joined forces and why it could mean a new wave of terrorist threats in the west.
Click Here to Read Full Analysis. Russia: Putin’s Media Blitzkrieg May Backfire
Despite having no strong challenger, the regime of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has been aggressively mobilizing its allies to stage counter-demonstrations, wage a pro-Putin media blitzkrieg, and discredit opposition voices. With the largest protest demonstrations since the fall of the Soviet Union and United Russia’s diminished representation in the Duma, it is an “all hands on deck” scenario for Putin allies and those who have benefited in any way from his tenure. In this analysis, both the short and longer-term implications of Putin’s manipulation of the media are explored, including the impact it will have on opposition parties in Russia in the future.
Click Here to Read Full Analysis. Mali: Tuareg Rebellion Gains Momentum Potentially Destabilizing Region
The National Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad (NMLA), a group of Tuareg rebels in northern Mali, have launched attacks on seven towns in the region and reportedly killed several hundred civilians. These attacks have driven around 50,000 Tuaregs to Niger and Mauritania, further endangering the stability of the region and providing a refuge for Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) to plot terrorist attacks with impunity. Thirty political parties in Mali called for a ceasefire on February 15, urging talks and an end to the violence. This announcement comes days after the government set its deadline for stopping the rebellion by April’s scheduled presidential election. The success of the government offensive will play a significant role in determining if stability can be restored to Mali.
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