Q&A

In March, units reportedly affiliated with the Ukrainian armed forces but composed of Russian citizens and others began making armed incursions into regions of Russia along Ukraine’s border. In this Q&A, Crisis Group experts explain who these Russian combatants are and what they are doing.

For over eighteen months, Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been deep in discussions about a formal long-term ceasefire in their eight-year war. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Ahmed Nagi takes the temperature of the slow-moving talks.

On 7 October, Hamas carried out a massive assault on Israel, drawing immediate comparisons to the 1973 conflict, when the Egyptian and Syrian armies similarly breached Israeli defences. In this Q&A, Crisis Group lays out what happened and where the fighting may be headed.

في السابع من تشرين الأول/أكتوبر، شنّت حماس هجوماً هائلاً على إسرائيل، دفع إلى ظهور مقارنات فورية مع الصراع الذي نشأ عام 1973، عندما اخترق الجيشان المصري والسوري على نحو مماثل الدفاعات الإسرائيلية. في هذا العرض المكوَّن من أسئلة وأجوبة تقدم مجموعة الأزمات ما حدث والوجهة التي يمكن أن يتخذها القتال.

On 30 August, elite troops slaughtered over 50 civilians planning to protest perceived foreign interference in the eastern DR Congo, three months ahead of elections. The government has asked the UN for an “accelerated” withdrawal. Crisis Group experts Richard Moncrieff and Onesphore Sematumba explain the stakes.

Le 30 août, des troupes d’élite ont massacré plus de 50 civils qui se préparaient à protester contre ce qu’ils percevaient comme de l’ingérence étrangère dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo, trois mois avant les élections. Le gouvernement a demandé à l’ONU un retrait « accéléré ». Les experts de Crisis Group, Richard Moncrieff et Onesphore Sematumba, expliquent les enjeux.

Zimbabwe will hold elections on 23 August. As with past votes, the playing field is skewed in favour of the ruling party ZANU-PF. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Nicolas Delaunay lays out the stakes and assesses the risks of violence.

War in Sudan’s Darfur region has triggered a refugee crisis in eastern Chad and raised concerns that turmoil could spread. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Enrica Picco draws upon research at the Chad-Sudan border to explain the challenges facing N’Djamena. 

La guerre dans la région soudanaise du Darfour a déclenché une crise des réfugiés dans l’est du Tchad, dont les effets pourraient se propager. Dans ce Q&A, Enrica Picco, experte de Crisis Group, s’appuie sur ses recherches à la frontière entre le Tchad et le Soudan pour expliquer les défis auxquels N’Djamena est confrontée.

On 26 July, high-ranking Nigerien officers announced on national television that they had overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum, who was democratically elected in 2021. In this Q&A, Crisis Group analysts lay out the reasons for the coup as well as the stakes going forward.

Depuis le 26 juillet 2023, un groupe d’officiers supérieurs nigériens ont annoncé à la télévision nationale avoir mis fin au régime de Mohamed Bazoum, élu démocratiquement en 2021. Dans ce Q&A, les analystes de Crisis Group expliquent les raisons et les enjeux de cette tentative de coup d’État.

On 8 and 9 August, the presidents of eight countries will meet in Brazil to discuss means of countering the threats facing the Amazon rainforest. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Bram Ebus explains that inter-governmental cooperation and a regional security strategy will be essential.

Los presidentes de 8 países se encontrarán en Brasil, el 8 y 9 de agosto, para buscar maneras de contrarrestar las amenazas que enfrenta la selva amazónica. En estas preguntas y respuestas, el experto de Crisis Group Bram Ebus explica que la cooperación intergubernamental y una estrategia de seguridad regional serán esenciales.

Despite winning big at the polls on 14 May, Thailand’s Move Forward has been blocked from forming a government. In taking this step, as Crisis Group expert Matt Wheeler explains in this Q&A, the party’s conservative opponents are nudging the country toward turmoil.

Inter-communal clashes have erupted in India’s Manipur state, near Myanmar. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Praveen Donthi delves into what caused the unrest and what New Delhi could do to stop it.

At Bamako’s request, the UN Security Council has begun drawing down the UN peacekeeping operation in Mali. In this Q&A, Crisis Group experts Richard Gowan and Daniel Forti explore the implications for blue helmet missions elsewhere on the continent.

Sixteen months after Russia’s full-scale invasion, its attacks on Ukrainian cities continue, while Ukraine’s counteroffensive slowly advances. With NATO leaders convening soon, Crisis Group experts explain in this Q&A why a lengthy war may loom and what that means for NATO members and other states.

The UN Security Council will soon consider the Secretary-General’s annual report on sexual violence in conflict. In this Q&A, Crisis Group experts Cristal Downing and Floor Keuleers discuss causes and consequences of such violence – and the importance of sexual and reproductive health care for survivors.

7 July marks the second anniversary of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Diego Da Rin explains why insecurity has gripped Haiti since the murder and why some Haitians have turned to self-defence groups to fend off rising gang power.

Le 7 juillet marque le deuxième anniversaire de l’assassinat du président haïtien Jovenel Moïse. Dans ce Q&A, Diego Da Rin, expert de Crisis Group, explique pourquoi l’insécurité paralyse Haïti depuis cet assassinat et pourquoi certains Haïtiens se sont tournés vers des groupes d’autodéfense pour lutter contre la montée en puissance des gangs.