Smuggling

The Rome-Moscow Connection: How Italy and Kyrgyzstan are Keeping Russian Trade Alive

While Europe builds a wall of sanctions against Russia, Italy has found a backdoor, shipping goods through the mountains to Kyrgyzstan.

Troubled Waters: Return of Piracy and Somalia’s Governance

With fishing nets coming up empty and governments in conflict, the line between Somali fishermen and pirates is once again dissolving into the sea.

Submarines in the Atlantic: Europe’s Invisible Drug Frontier

Portuguese authorities intercepted a semi-submersible vessel carrying 1.7 tonnes of cocaine in March 2025, exposing how traffickers adapt to Europe's maritime geography.

The UAE and the RSF: Mercenaries, Minerals, and Might

Part 3 exposes UAE backing, Colombian mercenaries, and gold looting as RSF commit genocide in Sudan’s El Fasher camps.

Chameleon Diplomacy: Qatar and UAE Compete in the Horn

Qatar and the UAE vie for influence in Somaliland, with commentary from Moustafa Ahmad and Dr Andreas Krieg.

Popular

Armenia’s EU Turn is Russia’s Own Making

Armenia's parliament has embraced a European future which Russia's own inertia made almost inevitable.

Ukraine Postpones Elections as Brussels Holds the Line

Zelenskyy brands snap wartime elections a tsunami that would split Ukraine apart, leaving Brussels holding the sharpest check left on Kyiv's power.

Macron Deepens France’s Strategic Partnership with Saudi Arabia

France's embrace of Saudi Arabia argues that strategic and economic interests now outweigh the human-rights concerns that once made the relationship toxic.

Como Bans Bicycles After Mayor Hit

A mayor's collision with an electric bicycle produced a citywide ban. Can personal misfortune justify policy for everyone else?

EU Cybersecurity Rules Create a New Kind of Cyber Slop

EU cybersecurity rules are expanding just as artificial intelligence multiplies digital threats, leaving companies with more alerts and obligations to process.