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Showing posts from December, 2024

Islamic State Supporter Discusses Making Hijra to the Sahel and West Africa

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Islamic State Supporter Discusses Making Hijra to the Sahel and West Africa On 24 September 2026, an Islamic State (IS) supporter in an online chatroom discussed making Hijra (migrating) to join Islamic State fighters in the Sahel and West Africa. Africa has been the main theatre of operations for IS since the fall of their strongholds in Syria and Iraq. The fact that supporters frequently discuss making Hijra to Africa online, underscores its importance. Pakistan is also often recommended in chatrooms to those wishing to join the group.  In Detail The supporter made the post in British English and appears to be a native English speaker. The supporter states he used machine translation to translate the message into Arabic.  1. Theological justification for making Hijra  The writer argues that making Hijra is a test of a Muslim's faith and distinguishes a "true Muslim" from "those who remain in comfort and hypocrisy". He says that since the outcome of making Hijr...

Geopolitical Forecast For 2025

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  Shipping containers violently connect, depicting the elevated levels of competition between the U.S. and China.  Photo credit: Heartland Bank.   The current geopolitical landscape is marked by unprecedented instability, with multiple conflicts and power shifts contributing to a complex and volatile environment. As we approach 2025, the following analysis synthesizes recent developments and anticipates future trends across various regions. Global Conflict Overview: 1) Europe: The Russia-Ukraine War The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains a focal point of European instability. This war has not only resulted in significant military and civilian casualties but has also disrupted energy supplies and economic stability across the continent. The prospect of a protracted conflict raises concerns about a winter of discontent, particularly as European nations grapple with energy shortages exacerbated by sanctions on Russia. The likelihood of escalation remains hig...