Geopolitical Diary
Editor's Choice
Geopolitical Weekly
By Rodger Baker
Rodger Baker

If We Covered the U.S. Election

Global Affairs
By Anisa Mehdi
Anisa Mehdi

A New Vision for the Kingdom

Security Weekly
By Scott Stewart
Scott Stewart

The Risks at Play at the Summer Olympics

store_logo

Buy reports, analysis and other featured content from our new store.

BROWSE cart

Analysis
Maps
Graphic of the Day

The Future of the U.S. Dollar

In the long-standing battle between state and market, America's currency hangs in the balance. Read more…

Apr 29, 2016 | 17:14 GMT
Video
Field Notes
Stratfor In The News

Omar Lamrani on the Islamic State in Sinai

Speaking with CNS News, Stratfor Senior Military Analyst Omar Lamrani explains that U.S. forces monitoring Sinai are relying more on technology as the Islamic State expands into the region.

CNS News
Featured Analyst:
Omar Lamrani

Fred Burton on Paying Ransom Demands

In an Op-Ed for The Globe and Mail, Stratfor Vice President of Intelligence Fred Burton says that whether governments pay ransoms or not, terrorists will not be deterred.

The Globe and Mail
Situation/Intelligence Reports

Iraq: Green Zone Occupiers Congregate In Main Square As Their Ranks Swell

More protesters, including those not affiliated with Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr, have gathered in the Green Zone's Grand Festivities Square, Rudaw reported. Read more…

Iran: Reformists Win Second Round Of Parliamentary Elections

President Hassan Rouhani's reformist allies won 36 of the 68 seats up for grabs in the April 29 second round of parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results released April 30, Al Jazeera reported. Read more…

Germany: Government Will Request Extension Of Schengen Border Controls

Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden will call for the European Commission to extend border Schengen Zone border controls beyond their original end date of May 12, German Interior Minister Thomas De Maiziere said April 30, Reuters reported. Read more…

Afghanistan: Government Launches Operations In 18 Provinces

The Afghan military kicked off anti-militant operations in 18 provinces backed by airstrikes and artillery, according to an April 30 Ministry of Defense statement, Reuters reported. Read more…

Russia: Moscow Says Barrel Roll Near U.S. Aircraft Justified

Moscow said April 30 that a Russian Su-27 was justified in its April 29 aggressive interception of a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea, according to a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry, BBC reported. Read more…

Iraq: After Shiite Protesters Storm Parliament, Military Deployed To Green Zone

Baghdad declared a citywide state of emergency April 30 after hundreds of demonstrators loyal to Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr marched over the Tigris River and into Baghdad's Green Zone, entering the parliament building, witnesses said, BBC reported. Read more…

Turkey: Suicide Bomber's Ties Remain Unclear

A female suicide bomber who caused an April 27 explosion in the Turkish city of Bursa has been identified, The Daily Star reported April 29. Read more…

Burundi: Attack Kills 5 In Capital

Five people were killed in a gun and grenade attack April 28 in Burundi's capital, regarded as a hub of opposition to Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, Reuters reported April 29. Read more…

Colombia: ELN Responsible For Oil Pipeline Attack

The National Liberation Army (ELN) carried out an April 28 attack on the Cano Limon-Covenas oil pipeline in a rural area of Arauca department, Colombian army sources said, Caracol Radio reported April 29. Read more…

Syria: Weekend Pause Declared In 2 Areas, Excludes Aleppo

The U.S., Russian and Syrian governments have agreed to pause fighting around Damascus and Latakia, according to Russian and Syrian military authorities, Reuters reported April 29. Read more…

Iraq: U.S. Vice President Visits Kurdistan Regional Government

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden visited with Kurdistan Regional Government President Massoud Barzani on April 28 in Erbil, where the two discussed the planned offensive to retake the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from the Islamic State, Rudaw reported April 29. Read more…

Saudi Arabia: Islamic State Claims Eastern Bomb Attack

An Islamic State affiliate in Saudi Arabia has claimed an April 28 bombing in eastern Al-Ahsa province that injured one police officer and damaged five vehicles, AP reported April 29. Read more…

China: Russian Natural Gas Project Signs Major Loan Agreements With Chinese Banks

Russia's Yamal liquefied natural gas project (LNG) signed loan agreements with Chinese banks worth more than $12 billion, Yamal LNG said April 29, Reuters reported. Read more…

Russia: Putin To Visit China In June

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China in June, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, Sputnik reported April 29. Read more…

Thailand: No Agreement Reached In Deep South Peace Talks

Informal peace talks between the Thai government and southern Thai rebels failed to produce an agreement, BenarNews and the Bangkok Post reported April 28. Read more…

Turkey: Deal Concluded To Send Troops To Qatar

Ankara concluded a military agreement with Doha that involves deploying Turkish troops to Qatar, Hurriyet reported April 28. Read more…

South Sudan: President Names New Unity Cabinet

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit named a new unity Cabinet on April 28, which includes former rebels and opposition members, Reuters reported. Read more…

Nigeria: Abuja Signs A New Deal To Increase Military Cooperation With France

Nigeria and France signed an agreement on April 28 to increase military cooperation in the fight against Wilayat al Sudan al Gharbi, the militant group formerly known as Boko Haram, AFP reported. Read more…

Forecasts