Ethiopia’s intelligence agency uncovers ISIS sleeper cells trained in Somalia, signaling the group’s dangerous new reach into the Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia’s NISS announces the arrest of 82 ISIS-linked suspects trained in Puntland, marking the first official acknowledgment of ISIS infiltration into Ethiopia and raising alarms of a new regional terror axis forming between Somalia and the Horn.

Ethiopia’s Terrorism Red Alert – Puntland’s ISIS Now Inside the Gates

For the first time, Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) has openly admitted what many regional security watchers feared: ISIS has breached Ethiopia’s borders.

In a sweeping joint operation across six regions, including Addis Ababa, Amhara, Oromia, and the Somali region, 82 suspected operatives were arrested—many of whom were trained in Puntland’s jihadist-infested mountain zones. These individuals were allegedly planting sleeper cells, distributing extremist propaganda, and laying logistical groundwork for future terror attacks.

This operation, long shrouded in secrecy, now blows the lid off a dangerous trend: the transformation of ISIS-Puntland from a local militia into a regional threat capable of exporting terror across borders.

The timing is critical. Just days earlier, AFRICOM launched an airstrike on ISIS positions in Bossaso, and Puntland’s own President Deni confirmed that ISIS militants had attempted to turn the Al-Miskaad range into a terror command hub for East Africa. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury officials have sanctioned ISIS financiers in South Africa, Somalia, and the DRC, showing the group’s expanding financial footprint.

The Ethiopian arrests show this network is no longer confined to coastal Somalia. NISS claims the detainees were plotting terror operations, laundering money, and radicalizing Ethiopian communities—including through religious institutions, a clear attempt to emulate al-Shabaab’s grassroots recruitment playbook.

For Addis Ababa, this is a strategic and symbolic turning point. While the country has long battled homegrown insurgencies and fended off al-Shabaab incursions—most notably the 2022 cross-border assault that killed 17 people—this is the first direct evidence of ISIS sleeper cells operating within Ethiopia’s interior.

This expands Ethiopia’s security front from the porous Somali border to the heart of its multi-ethnic urban centers.

It also adds complexity to East Africa’s multi-front war on terror, where governments are already battling al-Shabaab, arms smugglers, and tribal insurgencies. That ISIS-Puntland could train fighters and infiltrate them deep into Ethiopia without detection until now suggests an alarming intelligence gap.

In response, Ethiopia must double down on:

• Intelligence sharing with Puntland, Somaliland, and U.S. partners

• Disrupting jihadist financing networks

• Hardening urban targets and community surveillance

Failure to do so risks opening a dangerous new front in the Horn of Africa’s long war with jihadist extremism—this time not at the periphery, but at the heart of the state itself.

The question now isn’t whether ISIS is present in Ethiopia. It’s how long they’ve been here—and how far they’ve already gotten.

US AFRICOM Strikes ISIS Strongholds in Somalia

Puntland’s Blueprint for Victory: How Local Forces Are Beating ISIS in Puntland

US offers $5M bounty for senior ISIS figure

Fall of the Caliphate: Puntland Delivers Crushing Blow to ISIS in Somalia

Africa’s Shadow War: ISIS Eyes West African Statehood as Sahel Collapses

U.S. Airstrikes Hit ISIS in Al Miskaad Mountains — But Can Air Power Break a Grounded Insurgency?

ISIS in Somalia: The Rise, Fall, and Lingering Threat of a Coastal Caliphate

ISIS in Somalia: The Rise, Fall, and Lingering Threat of a Coastal Caliphate

Former ISIS Leader Dies in Puntland Prison: Details Unconfirmed

Minneapolis Man Charged with Supporting ISIS

U.S. and UAE Joint Operation Kills 16 ISIS Militants in Puntland Stronghold

Telegram Shuts Down Key ISIS Propaganda Channel Amid Puntland Conflict

ISIS Deploys Advanced Drones to Escalate War in Puntland

Puntland Seeks Global Aid to Crush ISIS Strongholds

The recent outbreak of deadly anti-government protests in Kenya highlights a dangerous escalation of public discontent and poses significant challenges to President William Ruto’s administration. With at least 31 killed and over 100 wounded during clashes, the scale of violence underscores deep-rooted frustrations fueled by economic hardship, perceived police brutality, and allegations of political repression.

These demonstrations, marked notably on Saba Saba Day—a symbol of Kenya’s historic struggle for multiparty democracy—reflect an intensifying crisis of legitimacy and governance for Ruto’s administration. Protesters accuse the government of authoritarian tendencies, highlighted by Dominic Mbuthia’s pointed critique labeling President Ruto a “dictator” who “doesn’t want to listen to the people.”

The violent response from security forces, including the use of live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons, further exacerbates tensions. The documented instances of forced disappearances and mass arrests by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reveal disturbing patterns reminiscent of past repressive tactics. The presence of armed civilians reportedly collaborating with police raises serious concerns about accountability and potential human rights abuses.

Economic grievances compound the political crisis. Business owners, already reeling from earlier looting and destruction during demonstrations, are experiencing heightened insecurity and economic losses. Charles Munyao’s account underscores the broader economic toll and the state’s apparent inability or unwillingness to adequately protect businesses, fueling further resentment and distrust toward government institutions.

The protests are more than isolated incidents; they signal a critical juncture for Kenya. The government faces mounting pressure to genuinely address underlying grievances, notably economic marginalization, allegations of corruption, and police brutality. International bodies, including the United Nations, have recognized the legitimacy of protesters’ concerns, underscoring the need for dialogue and meaningful reforms rather than further suppression.

Without swift, inclusive, and transparent action, Kenya risks spiraling deeper into unrest. President Ruto must navigate carefully, balancing security responses with genuine policy changes aimed at alleviating citizen grievances. Failure to do so risks entrenching divisions, undermining national stability, and damaging Kenya’s democratic institutions and international reputation.

Somaliland stands at a critical juncture, achieving remarkable diplomatic strides on the global stage under the leadership of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro. However, this promising progress is increasingly threatened by orchestrated propaganda, misinformation, and fake news campaigns aimed at destabilizing the government, undermining diplomatic achievements, and inciting internal conflicts.

Hostile information campaigns have proven highly effective tools for adversaries, both state and non-state actors, seeking to erode public trust, ignite social tensions, and disrupt democratic processes. By spreading false narratives and inflammatory content, these adversaries intend to manipulate public perceptions, diminish government legitimacy, and create societal divisions that could lead to violence.

A particularly troubling aspect of these campaigns is the role played by diaspora influencers. Some members of the Somaliland diaspora, residing in Europe and North America, exploit their safe distance from direct repercussions to stoke conflicts within Somaliland.

By providing financial support and disseminating radical messages, these influencers exacerbate tensions, often with greater radicalization and disregard for consequences than those residing within the region.

Germany’s recent investigation into Somali influencers involved in inciting violence during the Las Anod conflict of 2023 underscores the gravity of this threat. The case of one influencer, who openly claims participation in clan militias and piracy yet managed to reside in Germany despite his denied asylum claim, highlights significant loopholes in immigration and asylum systems.

Such individuals not only perpetuate violence in their homeland but also pose security risks to their host countries by importing and perpetuating divisive conflicts.

Against this backdrop, Somaliland’s adversaries have intensified their disinformation campaigns, strategically targeting President Irro’s recent diplomatic successes with nations such as Djibouti, Kenya, the UAE, and Qatar. These campaigns are aimed at diminishing the government’s international standing and sowing panic among the population.

Reliable sources indicate these efforts are systematically coordinated by anti-Somaliland factions intent on disrupting the nation’s peaceful and progressive trajectory.

In response to this growing menace, the Somaliland government must proactively engage in diplomatic channels, officially informing host countries of these harmful activities perpetrated by diaspora influencers. Diplomatic outreach could involve providing concrete evidence of incitement and collaboration in destabilizing activities, urging host countries to uphold accountability and prevent misuse of asylum privileges.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Information in Somaliland must spearhead a comprehensive strategy to counteract misinformation by promoting media literacy. Integrating media and information literacy into the national curriculum is imperative. Schools should equip students with critical thinking skills enabling them to discern and challenge disinformation. Well-trained educators must be empowered to guide students through analyzing and evaluating the credibility of various media sources.

Robust public communication strategies, transparent dissemination of accurate information, and rapid responses to fake news can bolster the public’s resilience against disinformation. The government should actively utilize both traditional media and digital platforms to quickly counter misinformation and reinforce public confidence.

Ultimately, Somaliland’s long-term stability and diplomatic success will rely on effectively addressing these hostile information campaigns. A proactive, multifaceted approach that combines diplomatic engagement, media literacy education, and effective strategic communication can shield Somaliland from the damaging effects of propaganda and fake news, ensuring the nation’s continued growth and international recognition.

How Misinformation Is Threatening Somaliland’s Stability

Somaliland’s Information War Is a Threat to National Security

Somaliland’s Ministry of Information: A Crisis of Competence Threatening National Security

Combat the Infodemic: Strategies to Prevent the Spread of Misinformation

The Horn of Africa, perpetually teetering on instability, now faces its most dangerous moment as Ethiopia and Egypt barrel toward confrontation. This clash threatens not just regional stability but also vital global trade routes, making it a conflict with potentially catastrophic global reverberations.

At the epicenter is Ethiopia’s aggressive drive for maritime access through the Red Sea, severed since Eritrea’s independence in 1993. Addis Ababa’s 2024 agreement with Somaliland—providing Ethiopia naval and commercial footholds in Berbera—has triggered alarm bells in Cairo. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s blunt warning, labeling Ethiopian ambitions a direct threat to Somali sovereignty and Red Sea safety, underscores Egypt’s existential fears. For Cairo, the strategic Red Sea corridor is non-negotiable, funneling critical trade to the Suez Canal.

In a rapid countermove, Egypt has escalated its defense partnership with Somalia, sending arms, trainers, and soon troops under the African Union’s incoming stabilization mission (AUSSOM). Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s eagerness to align with Cairo reveals the desperate vulnerabilities within his administration—one rife with accusations of corruption, terrorist affiliations, and foreign manipulation.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is unapologetically positioning Ethiopia as the Horn’s ascendant regional power, buoyed by newfound global stature from its BRICS membership. Yet this ambition has inflamed tensions with neighboring Eritrea, bringing both nations perilously close to renewed conflict. Rising troop deployments, mass conscriptions, and suspended flights between the two nations reveal mutual suspicion and preparation for war. Eritrea’s alignment with Egypt and Somalia starkly outlines the emerging anti-Ethiopian axis.

Simultaneously, renewed Houthi attacks in the Red Sea compound the region’s instability, threatening maritime security from Somaliland’s strategic port of Berbera. Iran-backed Houthi forces, reenergized after recent Middle Eastern turmoil, clearly intend to disrupt global trade and challenge Western and Gulf interests, adding yet another volatile dimension to this geopolitical tinderbox.

These intertwined crises—the aggressive Ethiopian expansionism, Egyptian and Somali resistance, Ethiopia-Eritrea brinkmanship, and Houthi maritime terrorism—create a combustible situation that the international community can no longer ignore. Diplomatic gestures, including recent Ethiopian overtures in Mogadishu, appear superficial against the deepening antagonisms.

The African Union, struggling with financial constraints and internal disputes, must urgently intervene alongside global powers to defuse these mounting threats. Without decisive action, the Horn of Africa is destined for war, a conflict that will not only devastate millions but will also disrupt critical international trade and security structures.

The Horn’s slide towards war may soon become irreversible.

GDP, growth, inequality, and geopolitics collide in the ultimate economic showdown between America and China.

A deep dive into the complex rivalry between the US and China’s economies reveals a nuanced battle—beyond GDP numbers—shaped by growth rates, population shifts, trade wars, and future risks.

At first glance, the United States boasts the world’s largest economy at $29.2 trillion in 2024, powered by consumer spending and innovation in tech and services. China trails at $18.9 trillion, led by manufacturing and exports. Yet, China’s economy grew by a robust 5% last year compared to the US’s 2.8%, signaling dynamic momentum.

Per capita income starkly favors the US, with Americans averaging $86,000 versus China’s $13,445—revealing vast income gaps within China and between the two nations. Unemployment is low in both countries, though China grapples with significant youth joblessness as its tech sector struggles to absorb new graduates.

Inflation offers contrasting stories: the US’s inflation declined to 2.3% in 2023, while China experienced deflation in several consumer sectors. Trade tensions fuel uncertainty, with Trump-era tariffs sparking retaliatory duties between the US and China, threatening global growth and inflation stability.

Looking ahead, demographics pose a formidable challenge, especially for China, where nearly 30% of the population will be over 60 by 2040, potentially reducing growth by 10%. The US faces a smaller but significant 6% growth drag from aging, partially mitigated by immigration—a strategy China resists.

With so many competing metrics—from GDP size to inequality, growth rates, trade balances, and demographic shifts—the question of which economy is “best” defies simple answers. The ongoing US-China rivalry will shape the global economic order, but the title of world’s top economy remains contested and far from settled.

Tehran’s nuclear ambitions persist amid recent strikes, diplomacy breakdowns, and lessons from Libya and North Korea.

Iran halts IAEA cooperation after US-Israeli airstrikes, signaling defiance and resilience as it advances uranium enrichment—fueled by historical legacy and fears of regime survival.

Iran’s Nuclear Resolve: Defiance, Survival, and Lessons from the Past

Iran’s doubling down on its nuclear program is not just a matter of technology or energy—it is a symbol of regime survival and geopolitical defiance. Despite recent US and Israeli airstrikes that damaged key facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, Tehran’s leaders have chosen to halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This move signals a stark message: under attack, Iran will accelerate its nuclear ambitions rather than retreat.

Historically, Iran’s nuclear journey began with US support during the Shah era under the “Atoms for Peace” program, aiming for civilian energy independence. After the 1979 revolution, Iran transformed its program into a strategic emblem of sovereignty and strength amid sanctions and conflict. The regime’s architects have long insisted on the right to nuclear technology—even acknowledging the capacity for weaponization if needed.

Recent US withdrawal from the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal under Trump shattered hopes for restraint. Since 2019, Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels, stockpiling enough material for multiple bombs. The strikes on nuclear sites, far from deterring Tehran, have hardened its stance. Officials question whether the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) can guarantee their security, especially when facilities under safeguards were targeted.

Iran’s leadership watches closely the fate of Libya, where Gadhafi’s denuclearization preceded his violent overthrow, and North Korea, which abandoned the NPT and remains a nuclear-armed state shielded from regime change. These precedents reinforce Tehran’s calculation: nuclear capability is essential protection against foreign intervention.

Non-proliferation experts warn that Iran retains significant infrastructure untouched by airstrikes, enabling a rapid restart of its nuclear program. With nationalist rhetoric equating backing down to weakness, and military leaders like the late Fereydoun Abbasi advocating readiness to weaponize if demanded, Iran is cementing nuclear development as a core pillar of its defense and deterrence.

For the West and its allies, this reality demands a recalibration: Iran’s nuclear ambitions are no longer just a diplomatic issue but a fundamental challenge to regional stability and international security. Without addressing the underlying security concerns of Tehran, the cycle of sanctions, strikes, and nuclear escalation is likely to continue—and with it, the shadow of conflict looms ever larger.

Pentagon confirms Tomahawk strikes on Iran’s Isfahan site avoided bunker-busters, exposing limits of US military reach amid nuclear standoff.

US officials reveal that even America’s most powerful bunker-buster bombs could not destroy Iran’s deeply-buried Isfahan nuclear facility, highlighting the enduring risk of Tehran’s underground enrichment—and the hard choices now facing Washington.

The US military’s recent strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites have laid bare a stark reality: even America’s most advanced bunker-busting bombs have their limits, especially against a determined adversary willing to bury its nuclear ambitions beneath layers of reinforced earth and steel.

In classified briefings to lawmakers, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine explained that the US refrained from using Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs on Iran’s Isfahan site—not out of restraint, but out of realism. Isfahan’s enrichment halls are so deep underground that even these devastating weapons would have failed to reach the critical uranium stores believed to reside there. Instead, the US relied on Tomahawk cruise missiles, which hammered the site’s above-ground infrastructure but left its subterranean vaults largely intact.

This operational dilemma—uncovered by satellite imagery and acknowledged by defense and intelligence chiefs—strikes at the heart of the nuclear cat-and-mouse game that has defined US-Iran tensions for a generation. The Pentagon’s attacks on Fordow and Natanz delivered tactical blows, damaging facilities and slowing enrichment activity. Yet at Isfahan, the bombs could not penetrate the labyrinth, and the best intelligence suggests Iran may have moved much of its stockpile before the attack.

Lawmakers emerged from the briefings with a mix of frustration and resignation. Some, like Sen. Chris Murphy, acknowledged the sobering truth: “Some of Iran’s capabilities are so far underground that we can never reach them.” Republican hawks, meanwhile, insisted that total destruction was never the mission’s objective—the goal was to “eliminate certain particular aspects,” not to obliterate every ounce of uranium.

But the cold reality is this: Iran’s nuclear know-how and some of its most dangerous assets survived the onslaught. While above-ground facilities may be “obliterated,” as Sen. Lindsey Graham put it, Iran still has the technical ability, the blueprints, and, most worryingly, the uranium needed to restart the program within months—not years.

For the US, this is both a warning and a call to action. The failure to reach Isfahan’s depths exposes a dangerous gap in America’s ability to destroy deeply buried nuclear assets without boots on the ground—or without Iran’s cooperation.

The strategic takeaway is clear: no airstrike, however precise, can substitute for a comprehensive deal that brings Iran’s nuclear program under strict international oversight. The military option remains, but its limits are now public. Washington will need a far more creative mix of pressure and diplomacy to close the tunnel for good.

Background:
For years, US and Israeli military planners have debated how to neutralize Iran’s most fortified nuclear sites. The 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator, developed specifically to target such bunkers, remains the world’s most powerful non-nuclear bomb. But Iran’s engineers anticipated this—and dug even deeper. The latest episode confirms what strategists feared: some targets are now beyond even the Pentagon’s reach, short of a direct ground assault or a change in regime.

The question is no longer just can the US destroy Iran’s nuclear program, but how—and at what cost. The world is watching, and Tehran is betting that time, and physics, are on its side.

Amid a tense White House clash, President Ramaphosa extends critical mineral access to the U.S., aiming to turn diplomatic friction into economic cooperation.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed the nation’s mineral wealth on the table in a bold attempt to ease spiraling tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. The tension came to a head during an unusually confrontational White House meeting, where Trump revisited one of his most incendiary talking points: the alleged targeting of white South African farmers.

While the encounter stunned diplomatic watchers, Ramaphosa’s composure—and his counteroffer—were equally striking. Brushing aside what he called “baseless” claims of systematic racial persecution, Ramaphosa instead pivoted to economics, offering the United States preferential access to South Africa’s critical rare earth minerals.

This wasn’t just diplomatic damage control. It was a high-risk, high-reward move. Rare earth elements—essential for electric vehicles, defense tech, and semiconductors—are at the heart of America’s industrial and strategic future. With China dominating over 85% of global supply chains, Ramaphosa’s pitch lands directly in Washington’s geopolitical sweet spot.

The moment was symbolic, the offer pragmatic.
“You’re a much bigger economy,” Ramaphosa said candidly, “but we rely on each other. We’ve got critical minerals to fuel your growth.” The subtext was clear: let’s pivot from race to trade.

Trump, characteristically theatrical, stunned the room by ordering graphic footage of alleged attacks on white South Africans to be shown mid-meeting. It was a move meant to provoke—but Ramaphosa didn’t flinch. He calmly pushed back, invoking Mandela’s vision of unity and dismissing the controversy as the rhetoric of fringe political groups.

This meeting wasn’t just about two leaders clashing. It was about how African nations like South Africa are repositioning themselves in a world gripped by resource wars, deglobalization, and identity politics. Ramaphosa’s olive branch—wrapped in the currency of cobalt, lithium, and rare earths—signals Pretoria’s intent to anchor itself as a responsible global player.

It also illustrates the new playbook for African diplomacy: mineral leverage over moral panic. As Trump’s second-term foreign policy grows more transactional, Ramaphosa’s move is both timely and tactically brilliant. He’s not just saving face—he’s buying influence.

Whether the mineral gambit will be enough to thaw Washington’s skepticism remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: South Africa has entered the new Cold War of critical minerals—and it’s playing to win.