Shiri Fein-Grossman🇮🇱🎗

Congratulations!!!

Africa in Focus: AFCON and the Battle for Africa’s Influence What began as a disputed call in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final has evolved into something much bigger: a window into Africa’s shifting balance of power. During the final in Rabat, a highly controversial late penalty awarded to Morocco led Senegal’s players to walk off the pitch for around 15 minutes as tensions escalated and fans attempted to storm the field. Senegal ultimately won 1-0 in extra time. But two months later, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result, ruling that the walk-off violated competition rules and awarding Morocco a 3-0 forfeit victory. The decision triggered immediate backlash in Senegal, where officials condemned it as unjust and filed an appeal. But the reaction did not stop there. In South Africa, senior political figures publicly rejected the ruling, raising concerns about fairness and governance within CAF - a response that also reflects longstanding political tensions with Morocco, particularly over Western Sahara. At the center of this story is Morocco’s long-term strategy to position itself as a leading power in Africa. Over the past decade, Rabat has expanded its footprint across the continent, particularly in West Africa, through banking, infrastructure, and diplomacy. Moroccan banks now operate in more than 20 African countries, anchoring a broader push for influence. Football is a key part of this strategy. Investments in elite academies, the recruitment of diaspora players, and Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 @FIFAWorldCup World Cup have turned the national team into a symbol of national strength and cohesion. Co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal further reinforces its global positioning. But this rise has not gone uncontested. Senegal is not only a football powerhouse but also a stable and influential actor in West Africa, with its own regional weight. The intensity of its response reflects more than frustration with a refereeing decision - it signals resistance to what some perceive as a growing imbalance of influence within African institutions. South Africa’s involvement adds another layer. It points to a broader competition between different models of leadership on the continent: Morocco’s outward-looking, investment-driven approach versus South Africa’s institutional and political legacy within the Global South. With over 60% of Africa’s population under 25, this competition is also playing out within societies. Football becomes more than a game - it is a platform for shaping identity, legitimacy, and national narratives. The Senegal-Morocco affair is not just about a match. It is about who leads, who influences, and how power is being reshaped across Africa. 📷 Photo by Jeremiah Garcia #AfricaInFocus #AFCON2025 #AfricanFootball #CAF #SportsPolitics #FootballAndPolitics #AfricaRising #Morocco #Senegal #SouthAfrica #WestAfrica #NorthAfrica #WorldCup2030

All safety and precautionary instructions in the Old City are a direct result of Iranian missile fire. As is known, the Iranian regime has fired on the Old City on multiple occasions, striking sites in the vicinity of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Western Wall. In light of this, and in order to protect the lives of worshippers of all faiths, precautionary instructions have been issued for all holy sites of all religions, and mass gatherings are not possible. The concern over a mass-casualty event in the Old City is particularly acute given the area’s density and the difficulty of deploying first responders in such an incident. The police will meet with Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and work to explore solutions that allow for as normal a routine as possible while ensuring public safety.

@kobbybarda רק שלבנון לא באמת מדינה. הלוואי קובי אבל בוא... שיתחילו לעשות ולא רק לדבר

Hezbollah just approved what Israel said all along. They weren’t disarming as they promised in the ceasefire agreement, they were rebuilding, rearming and regrouping. The lebanese military lied when they said we cleaned South Lebanon.

למרבה הצער יש טרור יהודי - ואת המעצרים המנהליים צריך לשקול להחזיר

Ukraine Agrees to 10-Year Defense Cooperation With Gulf Countries wsj.com/livecoverage/i…

I send my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. May God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

I was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the abduction and murder of Steven Gruzd of the South African Institute of International Affairs. I had only recently been in touch with Steven, who interviewed me for his work on African responses to the war with Iran.

This tragedy also reflects the broader reality of violent crime in South Africa, where thousands of lives are lost each year and kidnappings have become an increasingly alarming phenomenon, often occurring in the context of everyday criminal activity. )

Steven was a valued and respected member of the Jewish community in South Africa, and his passing under such violent circumstances is profoundly distressing.

He was thoughtful, serious, and deeply committed to his field. His loss is not only a personal tragedy for his family and loved ones, but also a loss to the broader community of scholars and practitioners engaged in Africa and international affairs.

@SAIIA_info Truly horrific and painful, a great loss to the community. May God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

It is with great sorrow that we announce the untimely passing of Steven Gruzd, Head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at SAIIA. An integral part of the Institute, Steve was known for his unwavering dedication to his work and his commitment to the policy community in Africa. We will miss his brilliant mind, his deep camaraderie and his gentle spirit. His absence leaves a significant void at SAIIA and across the continent he served so passionately. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Steve’s family, friends and all those who had the pleasure of working alongside him. May his soul rest in peace. 🕊️

Tony Blair: We must end left’s unholy alliance with the Islamists #Echobox=1774731436" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">thetimes.com/comment/column…

In the emerging contest over trade routes, resources and influence, the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa may once again become one of the decisive geopolitical crossroads of the twenty-first century

Those who are surprised by this should start following @IsraeAfricaOrg ... Israel's relationship with African nations has a long history. Many other African leaders feel this way, not all of them have the courage to say it publicly unfortunately. But that is beginning to change.

Yousef al-Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US: “A simple cease-fire isn’t enough. We need a conclusive outcome that addresses Iran’s full range of threats: nuclear capabilities, missiles, drones, terror proxies and blockades of international sea lanes…We want Iran as a normal neighbor. It can be reclusive and even unwelcoming, but it can’t attack its neighbors, blockade international waters, or export extremism.” wsj.com/opinion/the-u-…

China could lose ~15% of its oil supply overnight if Iran shifts toward the West. That’s ~1.5-1.8M barrels/day at risk. What replaces it isn’t just Russia or the Gulf. 👉 Africa is becoming central to China’s next oil strategy. Here’s why: • Africa holds ~15% of global reserves but only ~8% of production → Massive untapped potential • Already supplies ~10-15% of China’s imports → #Angola, #Nigeria, #Congo, #Gabon leading • Produces the right type of crude → Easier refining → Strong for petrochemicals (plastics, industry) • New players emerging → #Namibia, #Senegal, #Côte d’Ivoire If Iranian supply disappears: → Costs rise → Supply chains formalize → China shifts toward long-term, state-backed sourcing 👉 Africa moves from backup supplier → core strategic pillar This isn’t opportunistic. It’s structural. #Energy #Geopolitics #Africa #China #IranWar‌ #OilMarket #UnitedStates #Israel

87% of Iranian strikes against Arab countries (5,508); 13% against Israel (822).

@Jonathan_Elk זה מעולה ומשמח שמתחילים חלק לראות את האור אבל משא ומתן רק תחת אש והשארת חופש פעולה

את הכתבה הזאת אתם חייבים לראות! אני לא צוחק או עובד על אף אחד כשאני אומר שיש שינויים בשיח בלבנון על ישראל ועכשיו זה מגיע גם לתיקון היסטורי של המצב שהתקבע לאורך שנים, מצב המלחמה בין לבנון לישראל. בלבנון כבר לא מקבלים את המצב כמו שהוא, התחיל עידן השאלות הקשות שאיתם גם מגיעים תשובות חד משמעיות. במהדורה אתמול בלבנון בערוץ החדשות המוביל MTV עשו כתבה בכותרת: ״מה אנחנו לא יודעים היסטורית על היחסים בין לבנון לישראל? בין מצב מלחמה תמידי לבין המצב בשטח שמסבך יותר את הדברים, היסטוריית היחסים בין לבנון לישראל חושפת מצב אחר לגמרי ממה שהוצג״ בהרצאות שלי אני אומר לא פעם כי הייתה מלחמה אחת באמת בין לבנון לישראל וזה היה ב1948. רבים מרימים גבה עד שמסתכלים היסטורית באמת על המצב בשטח.