Al Shabab, an al Qaeda affilate in Somalia, has shown surprising strength in attacking and overrunning an African Union base in southern Somalia which is supporting regional efforts to stabilize the country. Al Shabab once controlled and administered large parts of the country before irritating the local populace who then supported AU intervention. AS lost a lot of territory and shifted to underground terrorist operations. They are now attacking in numbers.
US presence join Arctic to grow
In response to Russian claims of sovereignty or mining rights in the frigid north, the US is increasing its number of icebreakers. There are considerable oil deposits there and the race is on to claim them. The Arctic will become an important shipping area as global warming melts much of the ice and a sea route between Europe and Asia opens – the old Northwest Passage of 16th-centory explorers.
ISIL destroys ancient sites in Palmyra
The Islamic State sees ancient ruins not as cultural artifacts but as temples to false gods. So, they destroy them. ISIL is vulnerable in Iraq, not so vulnerable in Syria where there is insufficient trust among potential adversaries to mount a protracted campaign against them.
A marine sniper firing from a Huey helicopter has destroyed a drone. Tough shot given all the vibrations from the chopper’s sizable rotor blades.