Russia’s increasing assertiveness in Africa and the Middle East can be seen both as a reaction to the economic and political containment regime enforced by western countries after the annexation of Crimea and as a further effort to improve its geopolitical standing, well beyond the near abroad where Moscow has been consistently advocating the idea of a “Russian world”.

Until very recently, energy security had been considered a purely economic issue, whereas it is now understood to be a multi-dimensional concept made up of technical, economic, social, environmental and geo-political aspects. The absence of protection from or adaptability to threats caused by or having an effect on the energy supply chain’ is a commonly accepted definition.

The security situation in this sub-region is highly complex due to several socio-economic, political and geo-political factors which range from extreme poverty to maritime insecurity.

The region of the Great Lakes, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in particular, are affected by the Conflict Minerals that perpetuates underdevelopment, exacerbates armed conflicts, funds rebel armed groups, and maintains high levels of human rights violations. The nexus between minerals and conflicts is not well analyzed. Therefore, local African experts were sought by to help contextualize this nexus while exchanging views on how NATO can better contribute to security and stability.

The continent of Africa has a multitude of resources and competition for them is extremely complicated. Many external actors are often very interested in one or more resource. In some cases the need is critical, made even more intense when several external actors each have critical needs. Often the resources are strategic for several external actors and are at the same time limited.

Non-state armed groups, including violent extremist organizations, self-defense militias, and criminal gangs, are governance providers to local populations in the Sahel to a much greater degree than previously reported in the so-called “ungoverned spaces. NSAGs provide four key forms of governance: security; justice; political and economic administration; social support and enforcement of social rules, across large sections of Mali, but also in Burkina Faso and Niger.

Africa, as a continent of economic opportunities, is attracting foreign players. In this context, India is emerging as an important partner, especially for Eastern and Southern Africa. The complexity of its geopolitical environment combined with internal specificities motivated the revival of interest for the continent.

The NATO Strategic Direction – South HUB connects allies, partners, civil society and subject matter experts to better predict and prevent instability and insecurity.

The NATO Strategic Direction – South HUB connects allies, partners, civil society and subject matter experts to better predict and prevent instability and insecurity.

In the framework of its mission, the NATO Strategic Direction-South (NSD-S) Hub continues to organize events to improve NATO’s situational awareness and understanding of the Southern Flank, contributing to NATO’s projecting stability efforts in the South. The NSD-S Hub examines regional perspectives on challenges and opportunities to further NATO’s aim of supporting stability and security for Africa and the Middle East.

Stability in North Africa (NA) is highly influenced by regional dynamics as well as external factors. Challenges to stability arise from diverse factors such as economic development and unemployment, energy security, migration and demographic pressures, trafficking, radicalization and terrorism.

Water scarcity poses a global threat, but its effects are more visible in arid or semi-arid regions like the Middle East. Factors like climate change and persistent conflict, as witnessed in the Middle East, significantly exacerbate water scarcity and provoke security risks such as socio-economic instability and migration.

To celebrate Africa Day 2019 (formerly African Freedom Day and African Liberation Day), NATO Strategic Direction – South HUB and Three Stones International look forward to discussing with you this year’s theme: "Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement”.

On January 29, 2019, the NATO Strategic Direction– South HUB and Three Stones International held an online chat forum to discuss “Perceptions of NATO in North Africa and the Sahel.” The purpose of the forum was to gain key inputs from regional stakeholders to help NATO identify where opportunities exist for positive and mutually beneficial engagement in the region.

Save the Date 28 February 2019. Gender Equality & In/Stability in Africa

In Africa, urbanization is projected to continue to increase at an unprecedented pace. In 2015, Africa’s urban population was close to 40 percent. By 2050, more than 60 percent of the continent will live in urban areas. In the Middle East, the rate of urbanization also increased dramatically from the 1960s to 2000s, but has recently slowed down.

Access to water is essential to human life, yet water is a scarce resource. According to a 2016 World Bank study, 1.6 billion people live in countries that are water scarce, a number that may double in the next 20 years.

Beginning at the turn of the century and gathering force in the last decade, an information and communication technology (ICT) revolution has swept across Africa. Fueled by the expansion of wireless networks, submarine cable connections, and mobile broadband services, this revolution has afforded access to the internet and social media to the majority of Africans.

NSD-S HUB Study Day

Thank you letter from NSD-S Hub Director, BGen Roberto ANGlUS, expressing his sincere appreciation and gratitude to you for attending the hugely successful inaugural NSDS Hub study day.

On July 17, 2018 The NATO Southern Hub (NSD-S) and Three Stones International held an online chat forum to discuss "Who funds Instability in Africa?" During the hour and a half long event, NSD-S personnel directly engaged with community and civil society leaders from 12 African countries...

The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) was established in 17 Feb 1989 when the five founding members Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya and Mauritania (currently with an overall estimated population of 96 million), signed the Treaty of Marrakesh.

The Illicit trafficking’s development that today characterizes North Africa and Sahel is a relevant element in financing terrorist groups in these areas. North Africa and Sahel are populated by nomadic tribes historically characterized by trading activities, including smuggling, as essential part of their economy, culture and means of survival.

The Republic of Yemen, a country located in a dry and arid region of the Middle East, was already struggling with a severe water crisis before the current armed conflict. Disruptions of the public health system, together with collapsing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services are worsened by the armed conflict and blockade to the country.

In common with the rest of the world, Africa has experienced a huge increase in internet use and mobile telecommunications in recent years. On average, 35% of the population as a whole is connected to the internet, against a world average of 54.4%.