On January 5, Qatar and a Saudi-led bloc of states signed the “al-Ula Declaration” and restored diplomatic ties following a three-year rift. This constitutes a major achievement for the former, which has been able to circumvent the challenges of exclusion by the latter by relying on its resources and strategic alliances with the US, as well as Turkey and Iran.
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Category: Security Blog
While successful far-right militant attacks have decreased in 2020, Europe continues to see significant levels of radicalization. Far-right extremists are capitalizing on COVID-19-related grievances, infiltrating anti-lockdown protests and rallies in an attempt to become more visible and push their agenda. Travel to Europe may continue while maintaining vigilance for militant-related activity.
On December 10, US President Donald Trump announced that Morocco and Israel have agreed to normalize relations, adding to a growing trend of Arab states establishing official ties with Jerusalem. He also proclaimed that the US recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, this may increase tensions in the region.
On December 6, President Felix Tshisekedi announced the end of the coalition government between the Common Front for Congo (FCC) and Coalition for Change (CACH).
The ongoing war in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray Region is expected to continue and devolve into an insurgency that will draw in neighboring states.
Tensions between Turkey and Western state actors have increased over recent years due to various geopolitical and security issues
Unrest erupted across Kyrgyzstan in response to the October 4 parliamentary elections, which were marred by allegations of fraud and vote-buying by parties aligned with the government.
The release of a video warning of an armed liberation of Western Togoland by a secessionist group called the “Dragons of Western Togoland” followed an uptick in separatist violence.
On September 15, the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel signed the “Abraham Accords”, which was brokered by the US, constituting a watershed moment in the history of Arab-Israel peace efforts.
President Alassane Ouattara’s recent decision to run for a controversial third term in the October 31 presidential elections following the death of former Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly has seriously altered the country’s political outlook.
