Country Risk

LATEST HEADLINES

Gathering storm - Insurgency escalates in eastern Ukraine

Key Points The crisis in eastern Ukraine has now taken on the characteristics of an insurgency, with a variety of self-formed separatist militias fighting against the Ukrainian security forces and their allied paramilitary groups. Although allegations of direct Russian government support for the

Guinean government plans to privatise electricity company face risk of severe delays due to union opposition

EVENT The workers' union of the state electricity firm Electricité De Guinée (EDG) informed Guinean press on 1 July of their opposition to a planned partial privatisation of the state utility, denouncing the government's lack of transparency. Electricity supply in Guinea has been very

Journalists and Puea Thai supporters overseas face increased risk of extradition and detention under Thailand's lèse-majesté laws

EVENT The Office of the Attorney General today (2 July) announced that it will establish a team to pursue lèse-majesté suspects, those considered to commit a crime violating monarchy, abroad. Article 112 of Thailand's Penal Code makes the offence of defaming, insulting, or threatening

Likely increase in insurgent activity in Colombia will threaten security forces and energy infrastructure in three-month outlook

EVENT A three-week unilateral ceasefire declared by the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) insurgent group ended at midnight on 30 June. According to the Colombian Resource Centre for Conflict Analysis (Centro de Recursos para el Análisis de Conflictos: CERAC), the ceasefire

Local community discontent against hydrocarbon activities likely to rise in Mexico and increase operational disruption risks

EVENT José Luis Fong Aguilar, a sub-director of state-run oil company PEMEX, said on 1 July that the company had been unable to drill seven wells due to community unrest at its Campo Sen and Terra onshore fields in Tabasco state. Three of the wells have now been delayed for over a year. Local

Headlines Archive

FEATURED REPORT

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  A work in progress: China's development of carrier strike

  Professor Andrew Erickson reviews China's strategic goals and the military capabilities it must master as it seeks to generate the strike power that is central to the effectiveness of a modern, advanced aircraft carrier force
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  Modification hopes - India reviews its national security policies

  The 2014 poll in India returned a Hindu-nationalist government with Narendra Modi as its head. Bibhu Prasad Routray surveys the post-election security landscape and how Modi's government is likely to modify the country's security policy and architecture.
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  Young guns - New generation joins North Korean ruling elite

  The first North Korean election under Kim Jong-un has brought the 'third generation' into influential political positions for the first time. Alison Evans analyses Kim's moves to consolidate power and their effect on Pyongyang's economic and military policies.
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RELEVANT PROFILE LISTINGS

OFB INSAS 5.56 mm assault rifle system

Development The Indian Small-Arms System (INSAS) rifle is one component in a planned family of weapons who would share a similar design base. The other components of the family are a light machine gun (see separate entry) and a carbine/short assault rifle. Developed since the mid-1980s under the

Knight's Armament Company 5.56 mm Modular Weapon System

Development In August 1995, the Knight's Armament Company (KAC) announced a US government contract award to produce a rail interface system (RIS) for the US Special Operation COMmand (USSOCOM) Modular Weapon System (MWS) requirement. The contract called for applications with USSOCOM 5.56 mm M4A1

M2 5.56 mm M16 specialty carbines

Development Military Manufacturing (M2) has produced a range of extremely compact modified M16-type weapons for special-operations use with police and military forces. Although the company has also marketed a range of standard-size M16 rifles, its primarily focuses on special-operations weapons.

Rangemaster 7.62 mm tactical rifles

Development The Rangemaster 7.62 mm tactical rifles were designed to provide an effective range out to 1,000 m. The rifles feature a propriety 4-lug Quadlite® action which was developed by the manufacturer to provide a high level of accuracy, durability and safety. Two models are currently