Thursday, September 26, 2013

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- September 26, 2013

Soldiers take their position at the Westgate shopping center, on the fourth day since militants stormed into the mall, in Nairobi. (Noor Khamis/Reuters)

What Does the Nairobi Massacre Mean for Terror in Africa? -- Hilary Matfess, The Atlantic

This attack may suggest that Somalia and al-Shabaab are now the locus of global militant Islam.

The occupation of the upscale Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya by the militant group Al-Shabaab is now over, leaving at least 60 civilians dead. The standoff lasted for four days and is likely to boost the image of the militant group in the region. Here’s what you need to know about the group and what it means for Africa’s terrorism landscape:

What is al-Shabaab?

Al-Shabaab is a militant Islamic group based in Somalia, with the expressed intention of establishing a fundamentalist Islamic state in Somalia. Though group is affiliated with Al-Qaeda, it also represents a diversity of interests and cannot be considered a homogenous entity. Though many observers reported that the African Union’s campaign in Somalia had weakened the group, the recent attack on Westgate Mall suggests that the movement has gained an international following and remains a force to be reckoned with in the region.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Can Kenya prevent future attacks by Al Shabab? -- Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor

In Syria, we may be seeing a repetition of the Balkan tragedy -- Joschka Fischer, The Daily Star

Special Report: Hezbollah gambles all in Syria -- Samia Nakhoul, Reuters

Dealing with Iran: Get ready for a wild ride -- L.A. Times editorial

Iran nuke talks: The real deal or buying time? -- Oren Dorell, USA Today

Hassan Rouhani’s Jewish problem -- Max Fisher, Washington Post

Pushing Iraq Into Iran's Orbit -- Sarah Bertin, US News and World Report

China’s Leaders Ignore Dissent at their Peril -- Gordon G. Chang, World Affairs

Why China Will Disappoint the Pessimists Yet Again -- Jim O’Neill, Bloomberg

Fed Up In Bangladesh -- New York Times editorial

Venezuela food shortages: 'No one can explain why a rich country has no food' -- The Guardian

Why America Spies on Brazil -- Carlos Alberto Montaner, Real Clear World

Trouble at the core of U.S. foreign policy -- Washington Post editorial

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