Middle East / Africa
Iraq’s Sunnis and Kurds face a more peripheral future
Pro-Iranian Shia parties are progressively cracking down on independent forces from other ethno-sectarian backgrounds
IraqUS forces will likely withdraw from Niger
State media have announced the arrival of Russian instructors and an air defence system from Moscow
NigerThe EU’s phase-out of Russian gas is not guaranteed
The EU has enough alternatives to phase out Russian gas, but pro-Moscow governments in the east could be an obstacle
EURussia will struggle to expand West Africa gold mining
Russian mercenaries have sought to fund parts of their West African activities through gold mining
West AfricaCourt ruling entrenches Uganda anti-homosexuality act
Uganda’s severe anti-homosexuality law has survived its first court challenge and a donor outcry
UgandaMore Syrians will go hungry, at home and abroad
Global aid shortfalls are having a particularly strong impact on the victims of Syria’s protracted crisis
SyriaMali's opposition will struggle to challenge the junta
The official end date for Mali's political transition to civilian rule passed on March 26 with no transition in sight
MaliAlgeria will closely monitor religious practices
The country has a sophisticated system for managing religious affairs, while also leaving some scope for debate
Algeria
