Mali
Trump Administration Expands Travel Ban to 20 Additional Countries and Palestinian Authority: Full Analysis and Impact
Dec 17, 2025 10:40 am CST
The Trump administration has significantly expanded US travel restrictions to include 20 additional countries and the Palestinian Authority, doubling the number of nations affected by entry limitations. Five countries now face complete travel bans, while 15 others face partial restrictions. The expanded policy, effective January 1, affects both visitors and immigrants with specific exemptions for certain visa holders. Officials cite document fraud, vetting challenges, and security concerns as key justifications for these sweeping changes.
Inside Mali's Crisis: How Al-Qaeda's JNIM Uses $50 Million Ransoms and Kidnappings to Destabilize the Government
Nov 13, 2025 05:39 pm CST
The Al-Qaeda affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) has intensified its "economic jihad" in Mali, collecting a record $50 million ransom for an Emirati sheikh while systematically kidnapping foreign nationals and blocking fuel supplies. This strategy aims to collapse Mali's economy, scare away international investors, and ultimately overthrow the struggling military junta to impose Islamic law across the region.