Trend Lines
Africa Watch
President Paul Biya delivered a rare speech this week announcing a national dialogue process to resolve Cameroon’s separatist crisis. But is Biya committed to peace? His government has exacerbated the crisis for years, and in his speech, Biya called on separatists to surrender or face military action.
Is Biya’s Offer of National Dialogue in Cameroon Really Sincere?
Andrew Green Friday, Sept. 13, 2019
China Note
For months, pork prices in China have risen steadily as the country battles an epidemic of African swine fever. Pork is a favorite among Chinese consumers, and with several major holidays around the corner, authorities are treating the crisis as a “national priority.”
China Is Running Out of Ideas to Solve Its Pork Shortage
Benjamin Wilhelm Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019
Q&A
Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora held their 18th conference last month in Geneva. In an interview, Tanya Sanerib discusses the many positive outcomes from the meeting and the hard work that remains to prevent more species from going extinct.
Why This Year’s World Wildlife Conference Was ‘a Major Victory for Conservation’
Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019
Q&A
Italy’s newly sworn-in government is already facing questions about its staying power. It must contend with Matteo Salvini, the head of the far-right League party, who now effectively leads the opposition and can put pressure on the new government in a variety of ways, as Mark Gilbert explains.
As Doubts Persist About Italy’s New Government, Salvini Plots His Comeback
Friday, Sept. 6, 2019
Africa Watch
A week of riots in South Africa targeting foreign-owned businesses killed at least five people and destroyed dozens of shops across Johannesburg and Pretoria. This latest eruption of xenophobia comes amid deepening inequality in Africa’s second-largest economy, where more than a quarter of people are unemployed.
South Africa Erupts in Another Bout of Xenophobic Riots
Andrew Green Friday, Sept. 6, 2019
Q&A
In recent months, the Trump administration has tried to address Hezbollah’s presence in South America by boosting security cooperation with right-wing governments in the region. But American observers tend to overstate the scale of Hezbollah’s activities in the area, says Fernando Brancoli in an interview.
Is the Trump Administration Exaggerating the Threat of Hezbollah in South America?
Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019
China Note
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Wednesday announced the full withdrawal of a controversial extradition bill. But the city’s pro-democracy activists and lawmakers are skeptical about Lam’s retreat, suggesting that Hong Kong’s embattled leader is not yet out of the woods.
Is Lam’s Withdrawal of the Hong Kong Extradition Law ‘Too Little, Too Late?’
Benjamin Wilhelm Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019
Q&A
Protesters have vandalized the offices of French government officials in recent weeks, part of an ongoing backlash against President Emmanuel Macron’s trade policies. Gerry Alons explains how the protests will complicate the ratification process for a pending agreement between the EU and the Mercosur trade bloc.
Anti-Government Protests in France Spell Trouble for the EU’s Trade Agenda
Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019
Africa Watch
Eight months after his contested election, Congo’s president, Felix Tshisekedi, finally has a Cabinet. But the list of new ministers has done little to dissuade critics who allege that Tshisekedi only won last year’s election thanks to the intervention of his powerful predecessor, Joseph Kabila.
Congo’s New Cabinet Raises Fears That Kabila Is Still Really in Charge
Andrew Green Friday, Aug. 30, 2019
Will Drug Trafficking Charges Shift U.S. Support for Honduras’ Hernandez?
Laura Weiss Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019
Africa Watch
The separatist crisis in Cameroon deepened this week after a military tribunal handed down life sentences to the separatist movement’s leader and nine of his followers. As observers warned that the sentences would make it harder to bring the two-year conflict to an end, militias launched reprisal attacks.
Life Sentences Against Separatist Leaders Will Only Prolong Cameroon’s Crisis
Andrew Green Friday, Aug. 23, 2019