News Archive - Latin America and Africa in the News

RAND researchers often write commentaries for publications on a variety of topics. This page lists commentaries and op-eds about or related to Latin America and Africa. For a complete list of commentaries and op-eds by RAND staff, visit the RAND Newsroom.

The Motivations Behind the Amenas Terrorist Attack
Jan 29, 2013

An attack of this complexity would have required months of reconnaissance, planning, recruiting of inside confederates, and training of participants. France's intervention in Mali was used to “justify” an attack that would likely have taken place anyway, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.
Foreign Intervention in Mali Is Libya in Reverse
Jan 24, 2013

France is in Mali not just to prop up a failing state in French Africa, but because Mali was becoming a magnet for jihadis from around the world and Paris rightly feared the country could become the next Afghanistan—only much closer to Europe, writes Christopher Chivvis.
The al Qaeda Threat in North Africa
Jan 24, 2013

Last week's terrorist attack at the In Amenas gas complex in Algeria, along with the recent success of the militant groups fighting government forces in Mali, indicate al Qaeda and other terrorist groups are gaining influence in North Africa. RAND experts weigh in on the latest developments.
Hostage Taking Exposes Terror Threat in Africa
Jan 17, 2013

There is a danger in viewing Mali through the prism of counter-terrorism, since the rebel element there is tangled up in movements and groups with a wide variety of interests and motives, ranging from sincere religious conviction to local political rivalries to base economic opportunism, writes Michael Shurkin.
The French Intervention in Mali Is Necessary, but Risky
Jan 17, 2013

No solution is likely to offer more than a short-term reprise if it is not accompanied by real progress toward resolving Mali's political crisis and strengthening the Malian state and Malian democracy, write Stephanie Pezard and Michael Shurkin.
France Needs More Than Force in Mali
Jan 16, 2013

France should coordinate military action with efforts to engage with local factions to use as partners and proxies, write Stephanie Pezard and Michael Shurkin. This is, in effect, how France conquered and secured northern Mali in the first place a century ago.
Antiretroviral Therapy and Food Security Support Each Other
Jan 11, 2013

In examining the socioeconomic benefits of HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda, researchers find that ART helps alleviate the food insecurity of adults with HIV, which in turn may improve ART outcomes.
The Mirage of the Arab Spring
Jan 1, 2013

Like it or not, the United States counts among its allies a number of authoritarian Arab countries, and they are essential partners in protecting its interests, writes Seth G. Jones. The normative hope that liberal democracy may flourish in the future must be balanced by the need to work with governments and societies as they exist today.
Egypt's Constitutional Referendum Was an Opportunity Lost
Dec 21, 2012

The Egyptian process left no room for broad deliberation of the constitutional issues, or even for educating citizens about the text of the document on which they were asked to vote, writes Laurel Miller.
Media Conference Call on the Crisis in Mali
Dec 13, 2012

In this conference call with reporters, RAND political scientists Stephanie Pezard and Michael Shurkin provide analysis on the crisis in Mali, including why traditional sources of societal stability are weakening, as well as the difficulties in determining who in Mali can be engaged to fix the nation's problems.
Political Impasse in Egypt
Dec 12, 2012

If there ever was a honeymoon in Egypt's post-Mubarak politics, it is long over. The two main ideological camps—Islamists and secular-liberals—have shown a willingness to cooperate only when brought together by a common foe, writes Jeffrey Martini.
Unrest in Mali Leaves Opening for Radicalism
Dec 6, 2012

African leaders meeting in Paris on Wednesday agreed that an African-led operation is needed to keep the western part of the continent from becoming overtaken by terrorists, including al Qaeda affiliates.
Don't Give Up on Egypt's Political Transition Just Yet
Nov 28, 2012

Many transitions around the world in recent decades have been just as chaotic, yet 180-degree returns to autocracy have been exceedingly rare, writes Laurel Miller.
Can More Be Done to Improve Energy Security in the Gulf of Guinea?
Nov 21, 2012

Improving the security of the Gulf of Guinea's oil infrastructure would increase output and promote additional investment, to the benefit of oil importing nations. The U.S. Air Force has expertise that could help build local security capabilities.
In Brief: Laurel E. Miller and Jeffrey Martini on Democratization in the Arab World
Nov 13, 2012

In this two-minute video blog, RAND's Laurel Miller and Jeffery Martini discuss the challenges ahead for democracy after the Arab Spring as the countries in the Arab world rebuild, work to find a balance between civilian and military authorities, and include Islamist voices in the democratic process.