New piece of mine @warontherocks.bsky.social

Somalia’s offensive failed. Al Shabab is gaining ground—militarily and politically. International backers need a serious rethink.

The Changing Face of the Houthis How the movement adapted to dominate Yemeni politics

“Taken together, this means we are dealing with one of the most complicated — and yet, paradoxically, simplest — organizations and groups in the world.”

Yemen’s Houthis are one of the most misunderstood groups in the world.

Centre on Armed Groups — The M23 crisis in the DRC

M23 has taken Goma, while the global focus is elsewhere (not least the havoc being wrought by Washington)

We asked @armedgroups.bsky.social fellow @ethuin.bsky.social to break down M23’s endgame, what the media is getting wrong, and what might happen next:
www.armedgroupscentre.org/m23drc-vogel

Bless you and your feed. This is what I needed to read today.

Looking to get caught up on the most impactful research on armed groups in 2024? Check out our Essential Reads of 2024, featuring standout books & articles selected by our Experts and Co-Directors
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Centre on Armed Groups — Shadow wars: the Taliban’s campaign against the Islamic State Khorasan Province This paper examines the evolution of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) from 2021 through 2024, tracing its transformation from a severely weakened entity to an adaptive, decentralised organis...

How has the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) evolved under Taliban pressure?
Our latest report dives deep into its decentralization, strategies & ideological persistence 👇

www.armedgroupscentre.org/reports-and-...

Taliban’s Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani killed: Why it matters The most high-profile assassination in Afghanistan since 2021 has sparked questions over divisions within the Taliban.

What does the assassination of a senior #Taliban leader reveal about #Afghanistan’s power struggles & security?

Centre Co-Director @ashleyajackson.bsky.social breaks it down for Al-Jazeera: www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12...

Afghan women reportedly barred from studying nursing and midwivery Several sources confirm the Taliban pronouncement, part of ongoing efforts to curtail education for girls and women. Women studying these subjects say they were barred from classes this week.

The Taliban's new ban on women’s nursing/midwifery training - though not yet formal - closes a critical path for #education & #healthcare in an already restricted context.

Co-Director @ashleyajackson.bsky.social spoke with NPR on the devastating impacts. Read more: bit.ly/3ZKo8fc

#HumanRightsDay