The Islamic militant group holding a French intelligence agent for last three years says he survived the botched rescue attempt made by his countrymen, but that they have decided to kill him anyway in retaliation.
The scene in Bulomarer, Somalia on late Friday night was like the end of Zero Dark Thirty gone terribly awry, as a clandestine hostage extraction mission turned into an hours-long shootout.
The details of the U.S. campaign against militants in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia — a centerpiece of the Obama administration's national security approach — remain shrouded in secrecy. Here's a guide to what we know — and what we don't know.
African Union troops, consisting mainly of Kenyan military forces, have surrounded the port city of Kismayo, which they claim is the last stronghold of the Islamic militant group al-Shabab.
After not being seen in public for nearly two months, Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has reportedly died at the age of 57
The pirates still operating off the coast of Somalia have a relatively sophisticated PR machine, which includes spokespeople and, we learned on Monday, a form letter to victims, but the latter could use some editing.
ProPublica's Justin Elliott tries to lay out exactly what's known (not much) about President Obama's policy on drone strikes, what's not (a lot), and what the White House is saying in response to a New York Times report.
It's been a while, but Somali pirates are officially back in action, with a spate of attacks over the last few days culminating in the capture of a huge oil tanker in the Arabian sea.
Vice President Joe Biden had an early-morning interview with Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos today, revealing that the reason President Obama ordered the rescue was due to Jessica Buchanan's "failing" health.
Right around the time President Obama arrived at the Capitol to deliver the State of the Union address, a U.S. military unit swooped into Somalia, killing nine pirates and rescuing aid workers who they had taken hostage.
An American Navy destroyed helped rescue Iranian fishermen who had been captured by pirates off Somalia. It was either a humanitarian gesture or a PR stunt, depending which Iranian official was speaking.
The al-Qaeda-linked group says a bomber who carried the attack in Mogadishu was American-born, and released a tape of him calling for jihad in the west.
A London teacher is the latest exile to return to the volatile country
As many as 750,000 could die without food aid in drought-ridden south
Data predicts the situation in Africa will get worse before it gets better
Food meant for starving children is showing up for sale at markets instead
Refugees streaming across borders and into Mogadishu in search of food
The data suggests the media is focusing more on Norway and the debt crisis
Somali refugees lack food to break the Ramadan fast and are vulnerable to rape
Somalian famine, Amazon tax dodges, and the decline of the West
An editorial cartoon from the Murdoch-owned paper has stoked controversy
A drought in the Horn of Africa has raised levels of malnutrition and deaths from hunger
The U.S. is conducting drone strikes and CIA operations
News of America's attacks on Somalia could stoke hatred, some say
Thomson Reuters ranks Afghanistan first
Pirate pay runs about $33,000 to $79,000 -- about 150 times the national average wage
Witnesses include Melvin Bledsoe whose son shot up a military recruiting center
Have a story we missed? A link we have to click? A sharp opinion about the news? Instead of waiting for us to post it, tell us on the Open Wire.
Submit your news and ideas | See all reader postsThe Atlantic Wire is your authoritative guide to the news and ideas that matter most right now. Our team tracks newsmakers and opinions across the entire media spectrum: newspapers, web sites, television, radio and magazines.
But we do more than just collect information. By synthesizing, analyzing and summarizing what’s out there, and adding new information when we can, we are a news engine that gives you a quick and valuable account of the issues of the day.
Have a hot tip? A story we missed? Tell us on the Open Wire
How to send us editorial or technical feedback
Get Five Best Columns in your inbox each morning (preview)
