Mali's Next Battle

Mali's Next Battle PDF Author: Michael Shurkin
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 0833091913
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 143

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Book Description
This report examines Mali’s counterterrorism requirements in light of recent evolutions in the country’s security environment: The terrorist threat in Mali is growing, but Mali’s military remains largely ineffective. It is not possible to strengthen Mali’s counterterrorism capabilities in isolation from its general military capabilities, which are in need of fundamental reform.

Mali's Next Battle

Mali's Next Battle PDF Author: Michael Shurkin
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 0833091913
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 143

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Book Description
This report examines Mali’s counterterrorism requirements in light of recent evolutions in the country’s security environment: The terrorist threat in Mali is growing, but Mali’s military remains largely ineffective. It is not possible to strengthen Mali’s counterterrorism capabilities in isolation from its general military capabilities, which are in need of fundamental reform.

Western Intervention and Informal Politics

Western Intervention and Informal Politics PDF Author: Troels Burchall Henningsen
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000523438
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 148

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Book Description
This book examines the political and military dynamic between threatened local regimes and Western powers, and it argues that the power of informal politics forces local regimes to simulate statebuilding. Reforms enabling local states to take care of their own terrorist and insurgency threats are a blueprint for most Western interventions to provide a way out of protracted internal conflicts. Yet, local regimes most often fail to implement reforms that would have strengthened their hand. This book examines why local regimes derail the reforms demanded by Western powers when they rely on their support to stay in power during existentially threatening violent crises. Based on the political settlement framework, the author analyses how web-like networks of militarized elites require local regimes to use informal politics to stay in power. Four case studies of Western intervention are presented: Iraq (2011-2018), Mali (2011-2020), Chad (2005-2010), and Algeria (1991-2000). These studies demonstrate that informal politics narrows strategic possibilities and forces regimes to rely on coup-proofing military strategies, to continue their alliances with militias and former insurgents, and to simulate statebuilding reforms to solve the dilemma of satisfying militarized elites and Western powers at the same time. This book will be of much interest to students of statebuilding, international intervention, counter-insurgency, civil wars, and international relations.

Governance and Intervention in Mali

Governance and Intervention in Mali PDF Author: Susanna D. Wing
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1003850219
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 162

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Book Description
This book provides the historical and political context for the security interventions in Mali over the past three decades. The work contextualizes external military engagement (including that of the United States, France, the United Nations and G5 Sahel) within the broader framework of weak democratic consolidation, unmet development goals and increasing popular perceptions of widespread corruption in Mali. Over the past three decades, there have been four military coups in Mali: the military coup in 1991 launched the Third Republic; the 2012 coup toppled elected President Touré; the 2020 coup overthrew the elected President Keita; and the coup within a coup that ousted transitional President Bah. Given the political context, how do multiple international interventions relate to insecurity and instability in the country? Drawing on the author’s thirty years of research on Mali, this work examines the relationship between external intervention in the country, domestic actors, and decentralization policies. The book argues that external support has ignored the poor governance that is at the heart of the country’s crises. This book will be of much interest to students of intervention and statebuilding, African politics and International Relations in general.

Perspectives on Military Intelligence from the First World War to Mali

Perspectives on Military Intelligence from the First World War to Mali PDF Author: Floribert Baudet
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9462651833
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 249

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Book Description
With a foreword by Michael Kowalski, Chairman of the Netherlands Intelligence Studies Association Many intelligence practitioners feel that the statutory footing on which intelligence agencies have been placed forms an impediment to confronting unprecedented contemporary challenges. On the basis of case studies spanning the period from the First World War to the present, this book argues that while the intelligence community in the era of globalization has indeed come to face new and complex challenges that require adaptation, operating in demanding and changing environments is not new at all. This book questions the conventional wisdom of 9/11 or the end of the Cold War as caesurae. It also argues that the ability to adapt, innovate, question and learn from past experience is crucial for the success of intelligence organizations, rather than ever-expanding funding. Agencies’ ability to reflect, adapt and learn from experience determines their subsequent capability to deliver. One key development resulting from globalization is the marked increase in cooperation between intelligence agencies of different countries on the one hand, and between investigative agencies and intelligence agencies on the other. This has led to concerns over human rights and privacy and to increased calls for accountability and improved oversight as the increase in cooperation between organizations operating globally also provides scope for the circumvention of domestic restrictions. This book proposes an instrument to assess the effectiveness of existing accountability arrangements and offers new insights into the role of (military) intelligence in a number of crises, e.g., the 1962 Cold War confrontation over Western New Guinea, and the functioning of intelligence in peacekeeping operations ranging from Srebrenica to Mali. Thematically comprehensive, it offers a mixture of historical, legal, operational, and policy aspects, analyzed through the lens of institutional learning, bringing together academic and practitioners’ perspectives. The focus lies not only on the familiar Anglo-Saxon experience but also on cases from India, the Netherlands, South East Asia, Bosnia, Lebanon, and Mali. The book is aimed at both scholars and practitioners studying and/or working in the field of civil and military intelligence, and those involved in international relations and international humanitarian law/human rights law. It brings together contributions from authors who spoke at the Conference to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service, organized by the Netherlands Intelligence Studies Association (NISA), and from a number of authors who were specifically invited to participate. About the editors: Floribert Baudet is Associate Professor of Strategy at the Netherlands Defence Academy in Breda; Eleni Braat is Assistant Professor at the Department of History and Art History at Utrecht University; Jeoffrey van Woensel is a military historian who works at the Veteraneninstituut in Doorn; and Aad Wever is an independent scholar who formerly worked at Saxion University of Applied Sciences in Enschede and Ferris State University, MI, USA, and who is now retired. Specific to this book: • Offers a mixture of historical, legal, operational, and policy aspects, analyzed through the lens of institutional learning• Brings together academic and practitioners’ perspectives• Focusses not only on the familiar Anglo-Saxon experience but also presents cases from India, the Netherlands, South East Asia, Bosnia, Lebanon, and Mali

African Security

African Security PDF Author: John Siko
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1786726378
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 281

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Book Description
The world's fastest growing continent demographically, Africa displays nearly all the features of today's global security challenges: armed conflict, terrorism, irregular migration, organized crime, great power competition, public discontent, and economic turbulence. John Siko and Jonah Victor present their lessons from professional practice and pedagogical approach from the classroom in a concise guidebook that leads students and professionals through the most important issues, dynamics, challenges, and considerations for analysing and planning responses to security developments in Africa. This book provides issue-by-issue primers on the causes and consequences of Africa's security challenges that include: -how to anticipate security problems across current political and economic events -how to analyse African security institutions and military capabilities -how to understand historical trends across the African continent and appreciate unique variations among countries. -how to identify key drivers of future trends -how to connect security analysis to policy planning Learning is supported through the following features: - Thematic chapters which are optimized to help the reader quickly connect to the key concepts and analytic frameworks within the field. - The most relevant historical case studies, enabling students to engage in sophisticated analysis and discussion. - Connections and contrasts between the situations in North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, which are traditionally studied separately. - Special sections on understanding race and ethnicity, and advice on traveling in Africa. - Chapter-end checklists of key questions to enable practical engagement with the topics covered.

With Us and Against Us

With Us and Against Us PDF Author: Stephen Tankel
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 023154734X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description
In the wake of the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush drew a line in the sand, saying, “Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.” Since 9/11, many counterterrorism partners have been both “with” and “against” the United States, helping it in some areas and hindering it in others. This has been especially true in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, where the terrorist groups that threaten America are most concentrated. Because so many aspects of U.S. counterterrorism strategy are dependent on international cooperation, the United States has little choice but to work with other countries. Making the most of these partnerships is fundamental to the success of the War on Terror. Yet what the United States can reasonably expect from its counterterrorism partners—and how to get more out of them—remain too little understood. In With Us and Against Us, Stephen Tankel analyzes the factors that shape counterterrorism cooperation, examining the ways partner nations aid international efforts, as well as the ways they encumber and impede effective action. He considers the changing nature of counterterrorism, exploring how counterterrorism efforts after 9/11 critically differ both from those that existed beforehand and from traditional alliances. Focusing on U.S. partnerships with Algeria, Egypt, Mali, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen against al-Qaeda, ISIS, and other terrorist organizations, Tankel offers nuanced propositions about what the U.S. can expect from its counterterrorism partners depending on their political and security interests, threat perceptions, and their relationships with the United States and with the terrorists in question. With Us and Against Us offers a theoretically rich and policy-relevant toolkit for assessing and improving counterterrorism cooperation, devising strategies for mitigating risks, and getting the most out of difficult partnerships.

The Mali Empire

The Mali Empire PDF Author: J. P. Martin
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
ISBN: 1698713576
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 92

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Book Description
The Mali Empire was one of the most prosperous and powerful empires in the antiquity of Africa. The Mali Empire’s growth and expansion from the 13th century onwards was legendary and pivotal in the history and indeed the culture of western Africa. From their control over the trans-saharan trade routes to their influential royal class who produced such notable kings such as Mansa Musa, the Mali Empire made a significant impression. This book conveys the full historical record of this great nation and delves into the rich culture, religion, architecture, societal organization, royalty and commercial activities of this great empire. The epic landmark events of the Mali Empire are captured and clearly explained in detail within this text and come complete with images and illustrations. The comprehensive historical record of the Mali Empire is kept alive for all to enjoy, remember and revere within this book. The account of the Mali Empire showcases some of the best of African achievement and African history.

Perspectives on the American Way of War

Perspectives on the American Way of War PDF Author: Thomas A. Marks
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000713040
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 228

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Book Description
Perspectives on the American Way of War examines salient cases of American experience in irregular warfare, focusing upon the post-World War II era. This book asks why recent misfires have emerged in irregular warfare from an institutional, professional, and academic context which regularly produces evidence that there is in fact no lack of understanding of both irregular challenges and correct responses. Expert contributors explore the reasoning behind the inability to achieve victory, however defined, and argue that what security professionals have failed to fully recognize, even today, is that what is at issue is not warfare suffused with politics but rather the very opposite, politics suffused with warfare. Perspectives on the American Way of War will be of great interest to scholars of war and conflict studies, strategic and military studies, insurgency and counterinsurgency, and terrorism and counterterrorism. The book was originally published as a special issue of Small Wars & Insurgencies.

Brother's Promise

Brother's Promise PDF Author: T. Norman
Publisher: JNT Press
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 724

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Book Description
Only one hope remains for the survival of humanity. As an ancient prophecy comes to life, Gant Trell must band together the surviving armies to defeat the Mathox. With every battle, the Mathox grow stronger while humankind moves one step closer to destruction. The forces of Ansaroth and Dusseldorf must join together for one final assault to determine the fate of the world. In the end, there will be death. Who lives and who dies rests solely in the hands of the Barrow Brothers.

War With No Gains

War With No Gains PDF Author: Lt. Gen. K.K. Nanda
Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan
ISBN: 818430241X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 276

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Book Description
I was ordered to attack a Pakistan’s-very strong defensive position, opposite me on the same night. It made no sense to me, particularly when my entire Brigade Sector was under intense shelling and Pakistan, having the initiative could attack that night. Under the then prevailing circumstances I was certain that lifting of troops from one of my forward infantry battalions would unbalance me and I, therefore, had no option but to refuse the GOCs order. He was livid and very angry and that led to my fighting Maj Gen E’Desouza rather than Pakistan during the fortnight of the War. For all my subsequent offensive actions, he refused to give me any additional troops from his reserve Brigade, which was located in my Sector only and that too without any ground holding responsibility or any other commitment. We, of course, did our best but that was not good enough. My Brigade would have achieved much more, if additional resources had been allotted to me by the GOC for specific tasks. In this bargain the Indian Army and the Nation lost a golden opportunity to capture real estate in POK. —Excerpt from the book This book by Lt Gen KK Nanda serves a good purpose in portraying important aspects of Army life in Operational Areas and during War. It is of value to professionals as well as to the general public, interested in defence issues. War With No Gains by Lt. Gen. K.K. Nanda : "War With No Gains: An Insider's Account" offers a compelling and insightful narrative of warfare from the perspective of Lt. Gen. K.K. Nanda. Drawing from his extensive military experience, the book provides a firsthand account of the realities, complexities, and consequences of armed conflicts. Lt. Gen. Nanda offers valuable insights into the human cost of war and emphasizes the importance of peaceful resolutions to global conflicts. Key Aspects of the Book "War With No Gains: An Insider's Account": Personal Experiences: Lt. Gen. K.K. Nanda shares his personal experiences and encounters on the battlefield, providing readers with a unique perspective on the challenges faced by soldiers and the emotional toll of war. Strategic Analysis: The book goes beyond personal anecdotes and delves into strategic analysis, examining the factors that contribute to the initiation and escalation of conflicts. Lt. Gen. Nanda offers reflections on the impact of geopolitical dynamics and the importance of diplomatic efforts in preventing war. Lessons for Peace: "War With No Gains" highlights the futility of war and underscores the significance of peaceful resolutions. Lt. Gen. Nanda advocates for dialogue, cooperation, and conflict resolution methods to avoid the devastating consequences of armed conflicts. Lt. Gen. K.K. Nanda, a distinguished military officer, brings his extensive firsthand experience to "War With No Gains: An Insider's Account." With a decorated career in the armed forces, Lt. Gen. Nanda witnessed the harsh realities of war and its profound impact on both soldiers and civilians. Through his book, he aims to shed light on the human side of conflicts and advocate for peaceful solutions. Lt. Gen. Nanda's unique perspective and insights provide readers with a deeper understanding of the complexities of war and the urgent need for global efforts to prioritize peace and diplomacy.