Category Archives: Conflict and War

23Feb/26

Cartel Boss “El Mencho” Killed in Mexico, Sparking Nationwide Violence and World Cup Security Fears

February 23, 2026Conflict and WarAcapulco, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Christopher Landau, Claudia Sheinbaum, El Menchito, El Mencho, Fentanyl, Flores Silva, Guadalajara, Hugo Mendoza Gaytan, Jalisco, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Mexican drug war, Mexico, MEXICO CITY, Mike Vigil, Monterrey, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, Nueva Plaza Cartel, Pablo Lemus, Pemex, Ricardo Ruiz Velasco, Rubén Oseguera González, Sinaloa Cartel, Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, Tapalpa, Terrorism in Mexico, Trump, U . S . Federal, United States, Washingtonadmin

The Fall of “El Mencho”: 5 Takeaways from the Chaos Reshaping Mexico

23 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media — On Sunday, February 22, 2026, the long-standing pursuit of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes—the man known to the underworld and intelligence agencies alike as “El Mencho”—concluded in a violent, high-altitude end. For the Mexican military and its partners in Washington, the death of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader was the ultimate trophy of a decade-long hunt. However, as plumes of dark smoke rose over the coastal resort of Puerto Vallarta and civilians sprinted in panic through the Guadalajara International Airport, the victory felt pyrrhic. By sunset, Mexico had transitioned from a state of military triumph into what local social media and eyewitnesses described as a “war zone.”The stakes of this event transcend the borders of the criminal underworld. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than four months away and a U.S. administration that has formally declared “armed conflict” against the cartels, the fall of El Mencho is not merely a police matter; it is a global security event that threatens to reshape the Western Hemisphere. Continue reading →

26Jan/26

The Return of Ran Gvili: Closing Israel’s Gaza Chapter

January 26, 2026Conflict and WarBenjamin Netanyahu, Egypt, Gaza, Gaza peace plan, Gaza Strip, Gaza War, Gaza war hostage crisis, Gaza–Israel conflict, Hamas, Israel, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, October 7 attacks, Qatar, Ran Gvili, Trumpadmin

Jan. 26, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The recovery of Ran Gvili’s remains, marks the return of the final captive held in Gaza since the conflict began in 2023. As an elite police officer who was abducted after being wounded during the initial attacks, his retrieval serves as a pivotal milestone for the Israeli public and his grieving family. This significant event effectively concludes the hostage crisis, providing closure to a national ordeal that involved approximately 250 abductees. Beyond the emotional impact, the return of the last body is expected to facilitate the next phase of a regional peace plan. While the military successfully identified Gvili during a targeted operation, the long-term diplomatic future for the territory remains complex and uncertain. The resolution of individual tragedies remains deeply intertwined with the broader geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. Continue reading →

24Jan/26

Forged in Fire: The “Helmand Effect” and the 2026 Arctic Sentry Compromise

January 24, 2026Conflict and WarAfghanistan, Al-Qaeda, Anduril, Canada, Coalition casualties in Afghanistan, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Greenland, Helmand, Helmand Province, International Security Assistance Force, Kandahar, Lockheed Martin, Mark Rutte, Members of the Nordic Council, Mette Frederiksen, NATO, SpaceX, Task Force Helmand, Trump, U.S. VISION, United Kingdom, United States, War in Afghanistanadmin

Jan. 22, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — In January 2026, President Trump sparked a significant international crisis by disparaging the frontline contributions of NATO allies in Afghanistan, leading to widespread diplomatic condemnation. Statistical evidence from nations like the UK, Canada, and Denmark refuted his claims, showing that these countries often suffered higher proportional casualties than the United States. This “honor crisis” coincided with a tense standoff over Greenland, where the President’s threats of annexation and tariffs were met with a unified European military and political response. To resolve the deadlock, a compromise known as the Arctic Sentry framework was established, shifting focus from American ownership to a collaborative NATO presence. Central to this agreement is the Golden Dome, a sophisticated missile defense shield that will now be developed as a multilateral security project rather than a unilateral American initiative. Ultimately, the ordeal forced a transition from transactional threats to a more cooperative strategy for securing the Arctic against global adversaries. Continue reading →

21Nov/25

The Global Peace Index: How did African Countries Perform in 2025?

November 21, 2025Conflict and WarAfrica, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Developing country, Egypt, Least developed countries, Libya, Mauritius, Member states of the African Union, Member states of the United Nations, Middle East and North Africa, South Sudan, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sudan, Uganda, United Statesadmin

Nov. 21, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — Africa, particularly the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions, features prominently in the report’s analysis of global instability and conflict, often ranking among the world’s least peaceful and most conflict-affected areas.

The overall trend shows a continuous decline in peacefulness for both regions, marked by severe conflicts, rising geopolitical competition, and acute economic stressors. Continue reading →

21Nov/25

Global Peace Index: Fragmentation and Conflict Escalation

November 21, 2025Conflict and WarCold War, Congo, Global Peace Index, Globalization, Syria, Treadmill of destruction, Ukraineadmin

Nov. 18, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — The report offers an extensive analysis of the current state of global peace, highlighting a deterioration in peacefulness for the sixth consecutive year, driven primarily by increases in Ongoing Conflict and Militarisation. It details rising geopolitical fragmentation, an increase in the number of internationalised conflicts, and a major jump in global military spending to a record $2.7 trillion in 2024. The report also examines the economic impact of violence, noting it reached $19.97 trillion and that developing countries are heavily burdened by debt, often spending more on servicing it than on public services, leading to increased domestic conflict risk in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. Finally, the analysis identifies nine key factors that escalate conflict intensity and uses case studies—such as the Tigray War and the Kashmir conflict—to illustrate the risks of future large-scale violence. Continue reading →

24Sep/25

Angolan President João Lourenço Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for Championing African Conflict Resolution

September 24, 2025Conflict and WarAfonso, Afonso Botáz, Angola, João, João Lourenço, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Manuel Gonçalves Lourençoadmin

Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his significant contributions to peace and stability across Africa. The nomination, submitted by respected Angolan academic and international policy analyst Afonso Botáz, highlights President Lourenço’s effective diplomacy in mediating regional conflicts and his commitment to national reconciliation and justice. Continue reading

15May/25

Future Soldier Systems and Getac Rugged Computing

May 15, 2025Conflict and WarAFCEA, Classes of computers, Germany, Getac, Getac Technology Corporation, Laptop, Rheinmetall, Rheinmetall AG, Rugged computer, Spain, Tablet computeradmin

This press release announces that **Getac Technology Corporation**, a maker of **rugged computers**, will exhibit its devices at upcoming defence and public safety events in Spain and Germany, including the **FEINDEF** and **AFCEA 2025 events**. Getac will showcase a **new B360 Pro notebook** designed for military use and the **F110 tablet** alongside a defence docking solution. Additionally, **Rheinmetall AG** will present their **”Infantry Soldier of the Future – Enhanced System”**, which incorporates a Getac tablet. The article highlights the **durability, performance (including Edge AI capabilities), and connectivity** of Getac’s latest products for demanding defence environments, emphasizing their contribution to operational effectiveness. Continue reading

27Dec/24

Army launches 250th birthday celebration at the Rose Parade®

December 27, 2024Conflict and WarParade, Rose Paradeadmin

The U.S. Army celebrates its 250th birthday on June 14, 2025, and is kicking off a year of celebration this weekend with a float in the 136th Tournament of Roses® Parade. The float, titled “This We’ll Defend: 250 Years of Service,” highlights the U.S. Army’s greatest asset – its people – with a look at their unique stories and contributions from the Army’s founding to today. Continue reading

31Oct/24

Water investment key to averting global conflict surge

October 31, 2024Conflict and WarIEP, Institute for Economics and Peace, Think tankadmin

Today marks the launch of the 5th edition of the Ecological Threat Report (ETR) from international think-tank, the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP). The report concludes that without concerted international action, accelerating ecological degradation will amplify social friction and conflicts worldwide. These challenges will be further exacerbated by climate change. Continue reading

30Apr/24

Israel’s holiness

April 30, 2024Conflict and WarAbraham, Anti-Israeli sentiment, Arab–Israeli conflict, Christianity, Christianity and Judaism, Early Church of Jerusalem, Israel, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Jerusalem, Jewish nationalism, Musalaha, Naim Ateek, Palestinian nationalism, Palestinians, Zionismadmin

The concept of Israel’s holiness is a complex issue for Christians. Here’s a breakdown of the dilemma: Continue reading →