The arrest of one of Nigeria's most notorious kidnap kingpins, Chukwudubem Onwuamadike, has been hailed as a potential turning point in the battle against criminally-motivated kidnappings in the country. Yet, the case has also exposed the sophistication of kidnap gangs in Nigeria and why perpetrators continue to elude law enforcement, argues Reinet…
The recent abduction of Afgan Mukhtarli not only puts Georgia's democratic credentials under scrutiny, but also highlights the variety of threats faced by independent journalists in many parts of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including wrongful detention, writes Saif Islam.
The death last September of long-time Uzbek dictator Islam Karimov, who ruled the Central Asian state from its independence in 1991, was an opportunity for the isolated country to open up to the world and liberalise its oppressive regime, writes Filip Rambousek. The Uzbek government appears to be seizing its chance.
From Hong Kong to Mexico City, there has been a notable increase in scams involving hoax kidnappings in recent years. Virtual kidnapping involves attempts to extort a ransom from individuals by perpetrators falsely claiming they have abducted a loved one. S-RM Latin America and Asia Pacific analysts, Rufus Kleinwort and Rob Attwell, highlight some recent…
Former Catalonian President Carles Puigdemont's determination to hold an independence referendum has led to an historic stalemate in Spain that is threatening political and economic stability, writes Genevieve Frydman.
Three major anti-government demonstrations since early 2017 have taken the Kremlin by surprise, but they are highly unlikely to challenge regime stability, writes Tim Geschwindt.
Threats to an international beer festival and religious minority places of worship, as well as a dramatic increase in terrorism-related arrests in recent years, highlight the increasing threat of Islamist militancy in Malaysia and the commercial impact this can have, writes Rob Attwell.
Only a year and a half on from the publication of the Panama Papers, another massive data leak has hit the offshore services industry, leaving a maelstrom of negative headlines in its wake. The developments have highlighted more than ever the need for offshore services providers to invest in robust cyber security measures to protect the sensitive data…
Mexico's most powerful criminal organisation is in crisis. And that might not be good news.
Following an unprecedented military coup, hopes are high that Zimbabwe's new government will implement significant policy reforms and deliver on expectations for peace and economic reform. However, on closer inspection, the political and economic changes available to the new incumbent are likely to be limited, argues Reinet Loubser
The latest attack in Manhattan demonstrates that online Islamic State propaganda and communications can motivate do-it-yourself attacks by lone actors. LARA SIERRA-RUBIA explores the challenges for authorities in monitoring online radicalisation.
Multiple violent incidents involving separatist militants, including an ongoing hostage situation in several villages near Tembagapura, have been reported between October and November in Papua, Indonesia's easternmost province. These incidents have highlighted the continuing threat posed to business operations in the region, particularly to Indonesia's…