Africa
South Sudan: renewed war on independence day
On the fifth anniversary of its independence from Khartoum, South Sudan is again descending into civil war, with last year's tentative peace deal breaking down.
Tag: autonomy
Greater Middle East
US, Russia broach Syria carve-up
Obama's proposed agreement with Russia for military cooperation in Syria in exchange for protected zones for US-backed rebels actually means a division of the country.
The Andes
Controversy over FARC ‘concentration zones’
Under the plan for demobilization of Colombia's FARC guerillas, special zones are to be established for fighters to "concentrate" and then be integrated into civilian life.
Planet Watch
Canada: court blocks Northern Gateway pipeline
Canada's Federal Court of Appeal overturned approval of Enbridge energy company's Northern Gateway pipeline that would link Alberta's oil sands to British Columbia's coast.
Greater Middle East
Erdogan exploits Istanbul terror —of course
ISIS claimed responsibility for the deadly Istanbul airport attack, but this did not prevent President Erdogan from exploiting the terror for anti-Kurdish propaganda.
Greater Middle East
Kurds and Assad in race for Raqqa
Russian and US warplanes are each backing rival sides as the Assad regime and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces race to take the ISIS "capital" of Raqqa.
Europe
Break-up of United Kingdom impending?
The Brexit may signal the beginning of the dissolution of the UK, renewing calls for Scottish independence, a united Ireland, and even for London to secede as a free city-state.
North Africa
Media confusion on passing of Polisario leader
The passing of Mohammed Abdelaziz, leader of Western Sahara's Polisario Front, occasioned confusion in media coverage as to the difference between Arabs and Berbers.
East Asia
Hong Kong: ‘localists’ boycott Tiananmen vigil
The annual Hong Kong vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre took place amid a split, with the city’s biggest student union boycotting.
Greater Middle East
US rejects autonomy for Syrian Kurds
The US State Department rejected the Syrian Kurds' declaration of autonomy—ironically, just as the Pentagon is coordinating with Kurdish forces for a major offensive against ISIS.
Africa
Somalia and Somaliland restart dialogue
Somalia has made a $1 million donation to the drought-hit breakaway region of Somaliland, ahead of controversial talks between the two sides to clarify their future relations.
Africa
Niger Delta Avengers re-ignite insurgency
A new militant organization, the Niger Delta Avengers, has claimed a string of attacks on oil infrastructure, and issued communiques broaching secession from Nigeria.