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Prospects for Colombia in 2024

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PROSPECTS 2024

His Historic Pact suffered a major setback in October’s local elections, with opposition figures set to govern some of Colombia’s largest cities (including Bogota) from January 1…

Russia will use Orthodox faith to influence Balkans

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BALKANS/RUSSIA

The expulsions highlight the significant role the ROC, which is close to the Kremlin, plays in influencing politics and societies in the South Slav, Orthodox Christian-majority…

Afghan drug ban may be close to unravelling

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AFGHANISTAN

Local villagers were ignoring the ban on the production, use and trafficking of drugs, announced by Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada in April 2022. The Taliban…

Afghan Taliban’s multiple faces reduce scope for peace

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AFGHANISTAN

The militants' losses demonstrate their resilience rather than weakness. Kabul is trying to restart talks with the Taliban and assert ownership of the process. Whether the Taliban…

Concentrating political power is risk to Tajikistan

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TAJIKISTAN

Stability risks in Tajikistan.

Burkina Faso junta will resist outside pressure

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BURKINA FASO

ECOWAS threatened to impose sanctions for failure to comply, but has subsequently granted a short although undefined extension. The junta under coup leader President Paul-Henri…

Iraq’s Shia parties will hawk nationalist credentials

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IRAQ

The Kurdish referendum has complicated Abadi’s efforts to win reselection after provincial and national elections, expected in April 2018. Abadi -- an Arab Shia -- is vying for…

Putin re-election leaves Russia's dilemma unresolved

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RUSSIA

With 98.8% of votes counted, turnout was put at 67.5%, close to the 70.0% the Kremlin had flagged up as desirable. Putin's victory is about continuity rather than a new start, and…

Religious tolerance aids the Gulf’s expats and rulers

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GULF STATES

The pope’s trip highlights the efforts of several Gulf countries to brand themselves as religiously tolerant. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are also hoping that the promotion of…

Religion’s role in US foreign policy to grow

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UNITED STATES

Any Trump-Rouhani meeting would undoubtedly involve discussion of religion and politics, since these issues have set both governments at odds since the Iranian Islamic revolution…