Jessica PhelanJanuary 17, 2013 08:07

Chatter: Algeria hostage crisis threatens to send Mali conflict global

It looks like the conflict in Mali has spread to Algeria, President Obama enters the fight for tougher gun control, and almost everyone is jumping ship on Boeing's Dreamliner.

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Graphic. (Antler Agency/GlobalPost)

It looks like the conflict in Mali has spread to Algeria, President Obama enters the fight for tougher gun control, and almost everyone is jumping ship on Boeing's Dreamliner.

Hostage crisis in Algeria as Mali offensive continues

Daniel DeFraiaJanuary 18, 2013 11:26Updated January 17, 2013 14:22

French President Francois Hollande said Thursday that events in Algeria support the France's ground offensive in neighboring Mali.

Algeria: Hillary Clinton visits to discuss possible Mali intervention

Samantha StainburnOctober 29, 2012 14:48

Al Qaeda’s African affiliate, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, seized control of much of northern Mali this spring after a March coup distracted the country’s military, Bloomberg News reported.

Alison LakeJune 29, 2012 06:17

Western Sahara in geopolitical stalemate

A generations-old territorial question between Morocco and Algeria poses new risks.

Morocco algeria western sahara stalemate

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A Sahrawi woman walks in the desert near the Western Sahara refugees camp in Tindouf. Morocco’s de facto governance of Western Sahara since gaining full control in 1979 remains a point of bitter contention for the Polisario and Algeria. (Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty Images)

RABAT and WASHINGTON — Relative to large pockets of human suffering in sub-Saharan Africa in the form of widespread famine or civil wars, the fate of Western Sahara, a disputed desert territory and its 120,000 people, is easily overlooked. Yet this particular conflict undermines regional security in North Africa and perpetuates a troublesome humanitarian situation. Amid a changing climate colored by the Arab Spring and the ascent of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Western Sahara is an unfortunate liability.

Tunisia jets attack arms traffickers near Libya frontier

Luke BrowneJune 21, 2012 10:44

The smuggling of weapons has increased dramatically in the region since Libya’s Col Muammar Gaddafi and Tunisia’s Zine El Abidine Ben Ali were ousted last year in the Arab Spring revolts.

Algeria's subway system opens, finally

News DeskOctober 31, 2011 20:05

The subway system cost $1.2 billion to build, and is intended to reduce traffic congestion in Algiers.

Muammar Gaddafi "hiding near Algeria border": report

News DeskSeptember 28, 2011 08:55

International officials and aid agencies have expressed fears for the more than 200,000 civilians caught up in heavy fighting in Sirte and Bani Walid.

Libya: ultimatum given to Gaddafi's loyalists

News DeskAugust 30, 2011 13:38

National Transitional Council head Mustafa Abdul Jalil said the ultimatum is targeted at Gaddafi's loyalists in Sirte, Gaddafi's hometown, and other towns, BBC reports. The interim leaders are trying to consolidate their power and hold over the country.