Irregular military

In this Dec. 5, 2016, file photo, Syrian army soldiers fire their weapons during a battle with rebel fighters at the Ramouseh front line, east of Aleppo, Syria. 

Civil warcraft: Part II

Critical State

In this week’s Critical State, a weekly foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, Kelsey D. Atherton takes a deep dive into insurgency and counterinsurgency in urban warfare.

Macer Gifford, a British volunteer who joined the Kurds in the fight against ISIS in Syria.

British volunteers in Syria took on ISIS. Now they face possible arrest back home.

Conflict
A US special forces soldier demonstrates how to detain a suspect during Flintlock 2014, a US-led international training mission for African militaries, in Diffa, Niger, March 4, 2014.

Niger raid highlights US military’s growing role in Africa

Conflict

Spanish facing major changes as elections loom and Basque terror ends

United States commits ground soldiers to battle militia in Uganda

The BBC was given access to this armed militia group near the Ukrainian border with Russia. The group's leader, Alexei Mozgovoi, was evasive when asked where the weapons had come from.

Behind the Balaclavas – embedded with Ukraine’s separatist militias

Conflict & Justice

An armed militia group has given The World’s partners at the BBC exclusive access to its training camp in east Ukraine, where recruits are preparing to fight the country’s army. Reporter Paul Kenyon has followed the brigade’s commander since the conflict began – now he has gathered a force of more than 100 men.An armed militia group has given The World’s partners at the BBC exclusive access to its training camp in east Ukraine, where recruits are preparing to fight the country’s army. Reporter Paul Kenyon has followed the brigade’s commander since the conflict began – now he has gathered a force of more than 100 men.

The World

At least 64 killed in Uganda bombing

Sports

Bombers targeted World Cup fans in Kampala, Uganda, killing at least 64 and injuring one American. Reporter for the The New York Times, Josh Kron reports from Kampala.

The World

Renewed Violence Keeps Colombia Farmers from Getting Back Their Land

Global Politics

Two years ago, Colombia’s government pledged to help peasant farmers reclaim the millions of acres of land they lost during the guerrilla war. But a new round of violence is keeping peasants from getting back their land.

The World

Nairobi Attack by al-Shabab: ‘A Sign of Desperation’

Arts, Culture & Media

The violent attack on a mall in Nairobi is a sign of desperation from the Somali group responsible for it, according to analyst Ken Menkhaus, professor of political science at Davidson College. Anchor Marco Werman challenges him to explain his analysis.

Al Manar: Hezbollah’s Television Propaganda Tool

Global Politics

Lebanese Hezbollah fighters have been supporting President Bashar al-Assad’s troops in their attempt to crush the uprising in Syria. Hezbollah has its own TV channel Al Manar. It looks pretty professional, but you wouldn’t mistake it for CNN.