The New York Times: U.S. Confronts Failures As Terrorism Spreads In West Africa

“In the shadow of the Sept. 11 attacks, the United States rushed troops and military aid to a swath of West Africa to help French forces stop the spread of Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups. More than a decade later, and with hundreds of millions of dollars in security assistance spent, that regional counterterrorism effort has largely failed. Groups that have declared allegiance to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State are on the march. Military coups have toppled civilian-led governments in Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso and Niger. The new leaders have ordered American and French troops out, and in some cases invited Russian mercenaries in to take their place. As the United States withdraws 1,000 military personnel from Niger and shutters a $110 million air base there by September, American officials are scrambling to work with a new set of countries in coastal West Africa to battle a violent extremist insurgency that they perceive is steadily seeping south.”

Associated Press: The Latest | Israeli Strikes Kill At Least 18 In Central Gaza A Day After Attack On UN-Run School

“Overnight Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza killed at least 18 people, including children, a day after 33 were killed at a United Nations-run school sheltering displaced Palestinian families, health officials said Friday. Strikes hit the Nuseirat and Maghazi refugee camps and Deir al-Balah and Zawaiyda towns, they said. Four children and one woman were among those killed as well as the mayor of the Nuseirat refugee camp, according to hospital records. Israel’s army said Friday it was continuing operations in parts of Central Gaza. It said its troops had killed dozens of militants, located tunnel shafts and destroyed infrastructure in the area. The strikes came a day after at least 33 people were killed at a U.N.-run school in the Nuseirat refugee camp which Israel said was being used as a Hamas compound, without providing evidence.”

CEP Mentions

Financial World: The Taliban's Return: Afhgan Delegation Attends Russia's SPIEF

“... While Vladimir Putin did not directly address this, he stated the necessity to develop "relations" with the Taliban, as well as with the "current government" in Afghanistan. What does this mean? Hans-Jakob Schindler, an expert on the Middle East at the international organization "Counter Extremism Project" (CEP), says that although he is not familiar with the internal decision-making processes of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it can be assumed that Russia expects some form of quid pro quo for the offer to remove the Taliban from its terrorist list. As he notes, this could lead to problems: "The Taliban are always ready to accept a favor, but when it comes to quid pro quos, things become very complicated." German Afghanistan expert Thomas Ruttig sees the Kremlin's initiative as a tactic of taking small steps toward official recognition of the Taliban—a move that, of course, is welcomed by them.”

Yemen

Bloomberg: US Seeks To Up Pressure On Houthis In Threat To Yemen-War Truce

“The US and its allies are raising the stakes in their struggle to curb ship attacks by Houthi militants in the Red Sea by increasingly blocking their revenue sources, a move that could jeopardize a peace deal intended to end an almost decade-long war in Yemen. Washington has told parties including Saudi Arabia that key elements of a United Nations-led plan committed to in December can’t go ahead unless the Iran-backed group ends its near seven-month hostile maritime campaign, said several people who met recently with US officials. That would have included the disbursal of at least $1.5 billion in civil-servant salaries by Riyadh to Houthi-controlled territories, according to a person involved in negotiating the deal. A US State Department official, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, said President Joe Biden’s administration supports peace in Yemen to address longstanding economic and humanitarian crises in the country.”

Associated Press: Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Detain At Least 9 UN Staffers And Others In Sudden Crackdown, Officials Say

“At least nine Yemeni employees of United Nations agencies have been detained by Yemen’s Houthi rebels under unclear circumstances, authorities said Friday, as the rebels face increasing financial pressure and airstrikes from a U.S.-led coalition. Others working for aid groups also likely have been taken. The detentions come as the Houthis, who seized Yemen’s capital nearly a decade ago and have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition since shortly after, have been targeting shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. But while gaining more attention internationally, the secretive group has cracked down at dissent at home, including recently sentencing 44 people to death. Regional officials, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to brief journalists, confirmed the U.N. detentions.”

Middle East

Associated Press: The Latest | Israeli Troops Launch Attacks In Central Gaza, Possibly Widening Their Offensive

“The Israeli military said it has “operational control” over two areas of central Gaza as it carries out ground incursions and airstrikes in a possible broadening of its monthslong war against Hamas. The army said Wednesday its was fighting “above and below ground” in eastern parts of Deir al-Balah and the built-up Bureij refugee camp. In Jerusalem, thousands of mostly ultranationalist Israelis marched through a sensitive Palestinian area of the city, with some stoking already surging wartime tensions by chanting “Death to Arabs.” The eight-month war in Gaza has largely cut off the flow of food, medicine and other supplies to Palestinians who are facing widespread hunger. The Biden administration has launched an intense drive to persuade Hamas and Israel to accept a new cease-fire and hostage release proposal, which has raised hopes of ending the war.”

The National: Israeli Police Detain Palestinian Journalist Attacked By Extremist Mob

“Israeli police detained Palestinian journalist Saif Al Qawasmi shortly after he was attacked by an extremist mob in Jerusalem on Wednesday. Al Qawasmi, a freelance photographer for several Arab outlets, was held for about an hour and a half after an Israeli ultranationalist told police he was a member of Hamas, Haaretz reported. The arrest came shortly after Al Qawasmi was assaulted by dozens of mostly teenage Israelis, who surrounded him close to Damascus Gate. The image quickly became emblematic of the horrors Palestinian residents of Jerusalem’s Old City face during the annual Flag March, a deeply contentious parade through the Muslim Quarter. The Haaretz report – written by journalist Nir Hasson, who was also attacked trying to protect Al Qawasmi – said there was no evidence any of Al Qawasmi’s attackers had been summoned by police.”

Somalia

BBC: Giant Step For Somalia With UN Security Council Seat

“Somalia has won a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council - hailed as a significant step for the war-torn nation It will be the first time the country, which descended into civil war more than 30 years ago, has held the position since the 1970s. The top table at the UN determines how the organisation should respond to conflicts around the world. Analysts say Somalia’s battle to bring an end to its turmoil and its fight against Islamist militants will help inform the UN’s decisions. The lengths countries go to for a seat at UN top table There are 10 rotating non-permanent members on the council, along with the five permanent members - the US, the UK, France, China and Russia. To win a seat, which can carry influence in world affairs, a country needs to secure the support of at least two thirds of the General Assembly delegations that are voting.”