Regional Overview – Middle East – 3 September 2018
The beginning of August marked a significant downturn in reported fatalities throughout the Middle East region, due in part to the effect of stalemates, diplomatic negotiations, and an end to the Syrian regime’s offensive in southeast Syria.… Details
Regional Overview – Asia 3 September 2018
Overall levels of political violence in South and Southeast Asia dropped in the beginning of August, increasing again in the week of 27 August. Similarly, the overall number of riots and protests significantly spiked in the second half of August, particularly in India and Pakistan.… Details
Regional Overview – Africa 3 September 2018
There was an overall downward trend in the levels of organised violence and protests on the African continent during the month of August 2018 compared to the rest of the year.… Details
Can Boko Haram Effectively Function Despite Current Limitations?
The military’s systematic hallowing of Boko Haram has caused a diminished foothold within Nigeria and may have accelerated lingering internal disputes. From 2016-Present, the Nigeria-Cameroon joint operations of Lafiya Dole and Last Hold have placed Boko Haram into a defensive posture, losing almost all Nigerian-controlled territory and limiting activities to remaining camps surrounding Lake Chad (Anadolu Agency, 21 April 2018).… Details
The Complexity of Disorder in India
As India celebrated its 72nd Independence Day on 15 August 2018, the country continues to face multiple and complex challenges. Disorder—including political violence and protests—is increasingly multidimensional, complex, and evolving (OECD, 2016; United Nations & World Bank, 2018).… Details
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen: A Continued Threat?
As pressure from UAE-backed troops and US airstrikes has increased over the past two years, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) fighters have found themselves engaged on multiple fronts, weakening their ability to control and manage territory.… Details
The World’s Most Comprehensive Dataset on the Syrian Conflict
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) is pleased to announce the release of the most comprehensive dataset on the Syrian conflict to date. The data are based on a collaborative effort by the main providers of information on the conflict in Syria: The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Airwars, the Carter Center, International Security and Development Centre (ISDC), the Clingendael Institute, LiveUaMap, Shaam News, Syria Direct, the London School of Economics Conflict Research Group, and a number of undisclosed sources.… Details
Political Peril in Pakistan: Comparing Levels of Violence in the 2013 and 2018 General Elections
On July 25, 2018, Pakistan held its first general election in five years. With the 2013 election described as one of the “bloodiest” in Pakistan’s history (BBC News, May 2, 2013), the 2018 election seems to have followed the trend following high-casualty attacks carried out by the Islamic State and a number of reports of violence at polling stations on election day.… Details