Marrakech at sunset

China’s ‘Soft-Power’ Inroads into North Africa

The current international environment has been significantly shaped by three defining events: the eurozone crisis, the ‘Arab Spring’ accompanied by the rise of political Islam in North Africa and the Middle East, and the continuing rise of China’s global influence. A closer look at these three seemingly disconnected events reveals that they are in fact […]

Geopolitics of Niger coup: France, EU and ECOWAS are big losers

The coup in Niger has drawn strong condemnation from much of the international community, but most notably the United States and France, which have troops stationed there, as Niger’s putschists on Monday accused the former colonial ruler, France, of wanting to “intervene militarily” to reinstate the country’s deposed president. West African leaders on Sunday (30 […]

Tunisian lawmakers validate Hichem Mechichi-proposed government

The Tunisian parliament Wednesday rubber-stamped the proposed government of the Prime Minister-designate Hichem Mechichi to replace Elyes Fakhfakh who resigned last month from the post over allegations of a conflict of interest. Mechichi’s cabinet lineup was approved by 134 lawmakers out of the 201 present for the session. Mechichi after the 15-hour session told the […]