Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Maritime Alliance

 Firstpost posted on 15 August 2026 an article titled "What Is Saudi Arabia's New Red Sea Maritime Alliance?"

Saudi Arabia hosted 43 nations in Riyadh in late July and launched the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition that, so far, unites 14 regional countries to protect the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden.  It aims to counter Houthi threats coming from Yemen, secure global trade routes, and reduce reliance on Western maritime security operations.

Countries that have signed on are Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Comoros, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, and the internationally recognized government in Yemen.  Notable omissions are Eritrea, India, UAE, and Oman.  

Decline of the US State Department

 Small Wars Journal published on 11 August 2026 a commentary titled "The War of the Pen: What America's State Department Is Ignoring" by Julian McBride.

The author laments the absence of ambassadors at numerous US embassies, the State Department's waning soft power, the rise of middle and regional powers at the expense of the United States, and the increasing influence of China in the Global South.

He believes US diplomatic setbacks are self-inflicted but can be reversed through concerted action and the US position restored in the Global South.  

Algeria Increases Purchases of Chinese Military Equipment

 

Defence Security Asia posted on 25 June 2026 an article titled "Algeria's J-10C and KJ-500 Deal Signals China's Biggest Air Power Breakthrough."

Algeria is apparently prepared to buy Chinese Chengdu J-10C multirole fighters and Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft beginning in 2027.  This acquisition would make Algeria's air force one of the most advanced air powers in the region and challenge Russia as the traditional supplier of its air force.  

Min.com posted on 25 June 2026 an article titled "China Won a Large Order in Algeria, 24 Pterosaur 2, Frigates and Anti-ship Missiles Are on the List."

Recent purchases of Chinese arms by Algeria include frigates, missile systems, and drones.

Africa and Global Terrorism Index 2026

 The Institute for Economics and Peace posted on 30 March 2026 its "Global Terrorism Index 2026."

Of the ten countries most impacted by terrorism globally in 2025, six were in Africa: Burkina Faso (2), Niger (3), Nigeria (4), Mali (5), Somalia (7) and Democratic Republic of Congo (8).  Nevertheless, deaths in sub-Saharan Africa fell in ten countries while rising in just four.  Deaths in the Sahel region, however, accounted for more than half of all terrorism-related deaths globally.

Terrorism remains highly concentrated.  Just under 70 percent of deaths from terrorism occurred in only five countries: Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, and the DRC.  Nigeria recorded the largest increase in 2025, with fatalities rising by 46 percent to 750.  Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram were responsible for 80 percent of all terrorism deaths in Nigeria.

The DRC also reported a significant increase in terrorism, reaching its worst ever position on the index.  Deaths in the DRC rose by nearly 28 percent to 467, driven by attacks carried out by the IS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces, which targeted civilians, churches, hospitals, and funerals.

Somalia's al-Shabaab, while experiencing a decline in terrorist deaths for the third consecutive year, launched its Shabelle Offensive in early 2025.  

China's Oil Tankers Take on Saudi Crude in Red Sea to Avoid Hormuz

 Caixin Global published on 17 March 2026 an article titled "Chinese Supertanker Changes Route and Takes Oil Without Passing through Hormuz."

A Chinese supertanker originally scheduled to load crude oil in the UAE rerouted to the Saudi Arabian Red Sea port of Yanbu.  Other vessels are taking a similar action, causing a bottleneck at the port, which is served by an oil pipeline with limited capacity.  

Sudan: Quad Peace Plan Flounders

 AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 19 February 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo and Elliot Nazar.  

The Quad (United States, UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia) peace proposal is stalled due in large part to the fact that the UAE supports the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Egypt and Saudi Arabia support the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).  Neither the RSF nor the SAF has fully committed to the Quad ceasefire proposal.  Ethiopia's support for a new RSF military campaign in Sudan's neighboring Blue Nile state is further complicating any peace settlement.  

Sudan: Pakistan and China Rebuild Air Force

 Military Africa posted on 1 February 2026 an article titled "Pakistan Finalizes 1.5 Billion Dollar Arms Agreement with Sudan" by Darek Liam.  

The Sudan Armed Forces is in the final stage of closing a $1.5 billion deal with Pakistan that could restore air supremacy as it battles the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.  The package reportedly includes 10 Karakoram-8 (K-8) light attack aircraft and more than 200 Shahpar series of tactical UAVs.  

China and Pakistan jointly developed the K-8.  The deal may also include the JF-Thunder multirole fighter developed with China and produced in Pakistan.  This would represent a major upgrade for the SAF air wing.  

Deeper China-Somalia Security Ties

 China-Africa Security Radar posted on 1 February 2026 a commentary titled "China and Somalia Signal Deeper Security Ties--but Agency Still Maters."

Ever since breakaway Somaliland exchanged liaison offices with Taiwan, China has been an outspoken supporter of Somalia's territorial integrity and taken increasing steps to expand its security relationship with Mogadishu.  

China and Africa's Donkey Dilemma

 The Hinrich Foundation published on 20 January 2026 an article titled "Africa's Donkey Trade Moratorium Shapes China's Approach on Global South" by Lauren Johnston.

In 2024, the African Union halted exports to China of African donkey skins, which provide collagen used to manufacture a Chinese traditional medicine known as ejiao.  Chinese demand for African donkey hides reached 4 to 6 million a year, decimating the donkey population on the continent.  

China has responded by increasing internal donkey production, developing other sources outside Africa, and improving the supply chain for producing the traditional Chinese medicine.  

China's Space Engagement with Africa

 The Center for Strategic and International Studies published on 15 January 2026 a report titled "In China's Orbit: Beijing's Space Diplomacy in the Global South" by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs.

China is engaging in space cooperation across the Global South and Africa has emerged as a focal point of its efforts, especially Egypt, Ethiopia, and Namibia.  This study provides satellite photography to document China's facilities in all three countries.  

Saudi-UAE Rivalry Playing Out in Sudan

 AEI's Critical Threats Africa File published on 16 January 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo.

Increasing Saudi-UAE rivalry in Yemen may also be playing out in Sudan where the UAE has backed militarily the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and Saudi Arabia may now finance Pakistani weapons for the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).  The SAF deal with Pakistan gives Khartoum another reason to continue to slow roll a Russian naval base on Sudan's Red Sea coast as it has less need for similar military assistance promised by Moscow.

China Benefits from Pakistani JF-17 Thunder Aircraft Sales to Libyan National Army

 Military Africa published on 5 January 2026 an article titled "Pakistan to Supply 16 JF-17s and 12 Super Mushshak Aircraft to Libyan Faction."

Pakistan signed a $4 billion deal with Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) to supply advanced military hardware, including 16 JF-17 Thunder aircraft produced jointly by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group.  The LNA controls the east and south of Libya, including critical oilfields.  The LNA is a rival force to the United Nations-recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli. The introduction of 16 JF-17s could radically alter the security landscape of North Africa.

The deal represents a sophisticated maneuver by Beijing to expand its influence in North Africa while avoiding direct violation of an arms embargo.  By routing these sales through Pakistan, China can sidestep regulatory and political scrutiny that accompanies sales into sanctioned territory.  Although the JF-17 incorporates Chinese radars, engines, and missiles, it is technically a Pakistani product.  The LNA also has received Chinese drones and WRJ-Q02 anti-drone guns.

Is China Really Subcontracting to Pakistan Naval Influence in Somalia?

 China-Africa Security Radar posted on 26 October 2025 a commentary titled "Strategic Subcontracting: Could This Be China's New Maritime Strategy in the Indian Ocean?"

Pakistan has agreed to provide Somalia with comprehensive assistance to its navy, including general military training, officer education at Pakistan's staff and war colleges, vessel maintenance, equipment modernization, and technology transfer.  Pakistan is also heavily dependent on Chinese military equipment and platforms and is deeply embedded in China's strategic frameworks.  

This arrangement with Somalia has raised the question, especially in India, if Beijing is behind Pakistan's naval support for the Somali navy as a way to subcontract strategically.  

Undersea Cables Cut in Red Sea Disrupt Internet Access

 The Associated Press published on 7 September 2025 an article titled "Undersea Cables Cut in the Red Sea, Disrupting Internet Access in Asia and the Mideast" by Jon Gambrell.

A series of subsea cable outages on 6 September in the Red Sea has degraded internet connectivity in multiple countries.  It has not been determined who cut the cables, although one possibility is the Houthi rebels in Yemen.  

China's Z-9 Helicopter Under Scrutiny in Africa

  Ghana's Citi Newsroom posted on 11 August 2025 an article titled "Troubled Skies: Spotlight on China's Z-9 Helicopter  after Ghana's Tragedy" by Kobina Welsing. 

 A crash of a Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter manufactured by China's Harbin Aircraft Industry Group resulted in the death of 8 persons, including two government ministers.  A series of other incidents in Africa involving the Z-9 is raising questions about its performance.

Egypt Buys Chinese Air Defense System; China Solidifies Position as Arms Supplier

 Military Africa published on 2 July 2025 an article titled "Egypt Confirms Acquisition of Chinese HQ-9B Long-range Air Defence System" by Darek Liam. 

Egypt is buying from China a long-range surface-to-air missile system designed to counter fighter jets, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles.  Frustrated by Western restrictions on arms sales, Cairo is turning increasingly to China, which is positioning itself as a reliable supplier of weapons to countries in the Middle East. 

Upcoming Vote on South Sudan Arms Embargo

 The International Crisis Group (ICG) posted on 6 May 2025 a commentary titled "UN Readies for Critical Vote on South Sudan's Arms Embargo" by Maya Ungar.  

The UN Security Council will vote in late May on whether to renew the arms embargo on South Sudan for 12 months.  Even as the internal security situation deteriorates, the South Sudan government opposes the embargo.  The ICG argues that removing the arms embargo now could stoke escalating violence in South Sudan. 

Is Sudan Buying China's J-10CE Fighter Jets?

 BulgarianMilitary.com posted on 24 February 2025 an article titled "Sudan Bets on China's J-10CE Fighter Jets, Some Sources Say" by Boyko Nikolov.

Unverified reports say Sudan is poised to acquire a fleet of Chinese J-10CE "Powerful Dragon" fighter jets along with cutting edge air defense systems.  This plane could transform Sudan's Air Force, which currently relies on aging MiG-29s and limited Chinese FTC-2000Gs, making Sudan a regional contender in the air.  

Egypt Replacing American Fighter Aircraft with Planes from China

 The National Interest published on 8 September 2024 an article titled "The F-16 Is Being Replaced by China's J-10C Fighter in 1 Air Force" by Peter Suciu.

Egypt has decided to replace its aging fleet of US-made F-16 Fighting Falcons with Chinese J-10C Vigorous Dragon fighters.  Egypt will become the second nation to acquire the Chinese-made J-10C after Pakistan.  Cairo's decision to select the J-10C over the F-16 was apparently based on price and aircraft capabilities.  

Piracy Slowly Returns to Somalia

 The International Crisis Group published on 7 June 2024 an analysis titled "The Roots of Somalia's Slow Piracy Resurgence" by Omar Mahmoud.

After a lapse of about five years, Somali piracy is again on the increase.  Since late 2023, the slow rise in piracy is due to a decrease in counter measures by shipowners and naval task forces and frustration in Somali fishing communities with overfishing by foreign trawlers.