Editor's note

The deaths of four American soldiers in Niger last year drew the world’s attention to foreign troops in the West African country. Since then a number of countries, including the US, have quietly extended their military footprint across the region. Craig Bailie explains why Niger is so significant.

Botswana is home to the highest number of elephants in Africa. Until recently it had an enviable reputation for being a safe haven. But the discovery of dozens of carcasses around the Okavango Delta wildlife sanctuary, some reportedly poached, points to a worrying change. Ross Harvey explains.

Julie Masiga

Peace + Security Editor

Top Stories

The people of Niger have been protesting against the presence of foreign troops in their country. Arnaud Roin/EPA

Explainer: the role of foreign military forces in Niger

Craig Bailie, Stellenbosch University

The build-up of foreign armed forces does not bode well for the citizens of Niger.

Elephants in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Shutterstock

Why Botswana is no longer a safe haven for elephants

Ross Harvey, South African Institute of International Affairs

Botswana has been an unparalleled elephant conservation success story. That seems to be changing.

Health + Medicine

Probiotics: a first look at what’s going on in the gut

Ana Valdes, University of Nottingham

Many probiotic bacteria don't manage to colonise the gut, but that doesn't mean they don't have positive health benefits.

Flu plane: are we really ready for a global pandemic?

Mark Eccleston-Turner, Keele University

In the event of pandemic flu, poor countries will suffer the most.

Exploring the past

From our ancestors to modern leaders, all do it: the story of corruption

Asit K. Biswas, National University of Singapore; Cecilia Tortajada, National University of Singapore

Corruption can never be eliminated. Whether we like it or not, it has always been part of human nature and will continue to infect society.

Censorship through the millennia. And trying to locate it in the 21st Century

Peter D. McDonald, University of Oxford

The digital revolution changed the debate about censorship.

Environment