Darren Olivier
@darren.africandefence.net
Director at African Defence Review (@africandefence)
Covering African conflicts with a specific focus on Southern Africa.
Email: [email protected]
Signal: darren.13
Covering African conflicts with a specific focus on Southern Africa.
Email: [email protected]
Signal: darren.13
Reposted by Darren Olivier
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen talked up the bloc’s credentials on trade, investment and green energy on the first of the two-day EU-African Union summit in Angola on Monday.
Von der Leyen touts EU over China in battle for influence at Africa summit
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen talked up the bloc’s credentials on trade, investment and green energy on the first of the two-day EU-African Union summit in Angola on Monday.
euobserver.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:53 PM
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen talked up the bloc’s credentials on trade, investment and green energy on the first of the two-day EU-African Union summit in Angola on Monday.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
The whole "orders are presumed to be lawful" thing doesn't really hold up because then why do we give so many briefs about the rules of engagement, left and right limits, etc.
Service members are supposed to have a basic understanding of what is and isn't allowed.
Service members are supposed to have a basic understanding of what is and isn't allowed.
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The whole "orders are presumed to be lawful" thing doesn't really hold up because then why do we give so many briefs about the rules of engagement, left and right limits, etc.
Service members are supposed to have a basic understanding of what is and isn't allowed.
Service members are supposed to have a basic understanding of what is and isn't allowed.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Really looks like the United States is about to launch a regime change war against Venezuela with:
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
November 24, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Really looks like the United States is about to launch a regime change war against Venezuela with:
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
Reposted by Darren Olivier
If you're at all interested in how culture & politics intertwine, check out this thread about the connections between South African music & the South African anti-apartheid struggle. Includes a 1970 broadcast from the ANC's Radio Freedom. And some very cool music. 👇🏽
i fact-checked this beautiful piece about South Africa's exiled jazz musicians: www.parapraxismagazine.com/articles/lik...
Like Deepening Thunder into Our Hearts — Parapraxis
Sounding South African Exile Francis Gooding
www.parapraxismagazine.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
If you're at all interested in how culture & politics intertwine, check out this thread about the connections between South African music & the South African anti-apartheid struggle. Includes a 1970 broadcast from the ANC's Radio Freedom. And some very cool music. 👇🏽
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Meta halted internal research that purportedly showed (young) people who stopped using Facebook became less depressed and anxious, according to an unredacted legal filing released on Friday. www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/m...
Meta halted internal research suggesting social media harm, court filing alleges
Meta is alleged to have halted internal research suggesting social media harm, according to court documents.
www.cnbc.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Meta halted internal research that purportedly showed (young) people who stopped using Facebook became less depressed and anxious, according to an unredacted legal filing released on Friday. www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/m...
I like Bluesky, but I really hope it becomes more popular for global geopolitical & conflict news and discussion. This week's G20 summit was far more active & vibrant on X than on here, and I feel that's a tragedy. It continues to validate staying on a platform that everyone should ideally leave.
November 24, 2025 at 12:37 PM
I like Bluesky, but I really hope it becomes more popular for global geopolitical & conflict news and discussion. This week's G20 summit was far more active & vibrant on X than on here, and I feel that's a tragedy. It continues to validate staying on a platform that everyone should ideally leave.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Can the World Move On Without the U.S.? G20 Leaders Gave It a Shot.
'“We are a partner that plays by the rules,” Ms. von der Leyen said. “We listen to our partners.”'
'“We are a partner that plays by the rules,” Ms. von der Leyen said. “We listen to our partners.”'
Can the World Move On Without the U.S.? G20 Leaders Gave It a Shot.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Can the World Move On Without the U.S.? G20 Leaders Gave It a Shot.
'“We are a partner that plays by the rules,” Ms. von der Leyen said. “We listen to our partners.”'
'“We are a partner that plays by the rules,” Ms. von der Leyen said. “We listen to our partners.”'
Reposted by Darren Olivier
The drug lenacapavir will be distributed to Eswatini and Zambia — the first step toward providing at least 2 million doses to the countries with the highest HIV burden, largely in Africa, by 2028.
A 'breakthrough' drug to prevent HIV, an 'unprecedented' rollout
The drug lenacapavir will be distributed to Eswatini and Zambia — the first step toward providing at least 2 million doses to the countries with the highest HIV burden, largely in Africa, by 2028.
n.pr
November 24, 2025 at 12:24 AM
The drug lenacapavir will be distributed to Eswatini and Zambia — the first step toward providing at least 2 million doses to the countries with the highest HIV burden, largely in Africa, by 2028.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Amid a deepening ecological crisis and acute water shortage, Tehran can no longer remain the capital of Iran, the country’s president has said. www.scientificamerican.com/article/iran...
Iran’s Capital Is Moving. The Reason Is an Ecological Catastrophe
The decision to move Iran’s capital is partly driven by climate change, but experts say decades of human error and action are also to blame
www.scientificamerican.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Amid a deepening ecological crisis and acute water shortage, Tehran can no longer remain the capital of Iran, the country’s president has said. www.scientificamerican.com/article/iran...
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Although the scale of this is still to be assessed, this is the inevitable outcome of the monetization of the algorithm. Rage-bait becomes a personal revenue model. Nothing about this should be a surprise.
NEWS: I spent the past 24 hours going through major MAGA accounts on Twitter, and a bombshell development has become clear: most of the right-wing ecosphere is being fed propaganda from foreign actors.
This impacts elections. This impacts discourse. This is major. Subscribe to support my work:
This impacts elections. This impacts discourse. This is major. Subscribe to support my work:
NEWS: Major MAGA Accounts on Twitter Exposed as Foreign Actors
A stunning development over the past 24 hours.
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Although the scale of this is still to be assessed, this is the inevitable outcome of the monetization of the algorithm. Rage-bait becomes a personal revenue model. Nothing about this should be a surprise.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
South Africa says G20 summit outcome renews commitment to multilateralism reut.rs/3MipVUh
South Africa says G20 summit outcome renews commitment to multilateralism
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday that the Leaders' Declaration from this weekend's Group of 20 summit reflected a "renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation".
reut.rs
November 23, 2025 at 11:50 AM
South Africa says G20 summit outcome renews commitment to multilateralism reut.rs/3MipVUh
Reposted by Darren Olivier
The Trump decision to boycott the G20 does not advance American interests. Trumps disdain for multilateralism weakens American influence in the world.
November 21, 2025 at 6:11 PM
The Trump decision to boycott the G20 does not advance American interests. Trumps disdain for multilateralism weakens American influence in the world.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
The G20 closed in Johannesburg without a ceremonial hand over to the U.S., its next chair, after Washington boycotted the summit. n.pr/3Kdk7L9
G20 summit closes in South Africa after U.S. absence
The G20 closed in Johannesburg without a ceremonial hand over to the U.S., its next chair, after Washington boycotted the summit.
n.pr
November 23, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The G20 closed in Johannesburg without a ceremonial hand over to the U.S., its next chair, after Washington boycotted the summit. n.pr/3Kdk7L9
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Cyril Ramaphosa bangs gavel to close G20 summit after US handover row
Cyril Ramaphosa bangs gavel to close G20 summit after US handover row
South Africa rejects proposal from US, which hosts next summit, for president to hand over to embassy official
South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, closed the G20 summit in Johannesburg by banging a gavel, having rejected a US proposal for him to hand over to a relatively junior embassy official for the next summit in Florida in a year’s time.
South Africa presented the two-day event as a triumph for multilateralism but it was marred by a boycott by the US, which has repeatedly accused South Africa of discriminating against white minority Afrikaners, a claim that has been widely discredited. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Cyril Ramaphosa bangs gavel to close G20 summit after US handover row
Reposted by Darren Olivier
G20 defies Trump as leaders press on without the US on.ft.com/3XQegP2
G20 defies Trump as leaders press on without the US
Agreements at G20 and COP30 show how America’s absence has not demoralised world leaders
on.ft.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:17 PM
G20 defies Trump as leaders press on without the US on.ft.com/3XQegP2
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Following the occupation of France by Germany during WWII, the Free French Air Force (FAFL) opened aviation schools in North Africa.
Here in 1945, a bomber school equipped with LeO-451s whose fuselages had been sanded down by the desert sand, revealing the fuselage aluminium
© Images défense
Here in 1945, a bomber school equipped with LeO-451s whose fuselages had been sanded down by the desert sand, revealing the fuselage aluminium
© Images défense
November 22, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Following the occupation of France by Germany during WWII, the Free French Air Force (FAFL) opened aviation schools in North Africa.
Here in 1945, a bomber school equipped with LeO-451s whose fuselages had been sanded down by the desert sand, revealing the fuselage aluminium
© Images défense
Here in 1945, a bomber school equipped with LeO-451s whose fuselages had been sanded down by the desert sand, revealing the fuselage aluminium
© Images défense
Reposted by Darren Olivier
G20 adoption of landmark declaration on air quality shows a clear recognition by the world’s largest economies that cleaner air is essential for health, prosperity & climate ambition, putting air quality on the G20 agenda in its own right for the first time....
www.cleanairfund.org/news-item/g2...
www.cleanairfund.org/news-item/g2...
Historic G20 Cape Town declaration on air quality
G20 Environment and Climate Ministers have adopted a landmark declaration on air quality. This is a clear recognition by the world’s largest economies that cleaner air is essential for health, prosper...
www.cleanairfund.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:26 PM
G20 adoption of landmark declaration on air quality shows a clear recognition by the world’s largest economies that cleaner air is essential for health, prosperity & climate ambition, putting air quality on the G20 agenda in its own right for the first time....
www.cleanairfund.org/news-item/g2...
www.cleanairfund.org/news-item/g2...
Reposted by Darren Olivier
After negotiating for over five days, the G20 sherpas reached an agreement on a Leaders’ Declaration on Friday morning. South Africa, meanwhile, has rejected the US’ proposal for President Cyril Ramaphosa to hand over the G20 presidency to its acting ambassador.
G20 sherpas reach agreement on a Leaders’ Declaration ahead of Johannesburg Summit | Daily Maverick
www.dailymaverick.co.za
November 22, 2025 at 2:30 AM
After negotiating for over five days, the G20 sherpas reached an agreement on a Leaders’ Declaration on Friday morning. South Africa, meanwhile, has rejected the US’ proposal for President Cyril Ramaphosa to hand over the G20 presidency to its acting ambassador.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Africa's first G20 summit adopts declaration despite US boycott
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/ZPzd
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/ZPzd
November 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Africa's first G20 summit adopts declaration despite US boycott
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/ZPzd
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/ZPzd
Reposted by Darren Olivier
G20 summit declaration stresses seriousness of climate change in snub to Trump reut.rs/4ohZpb7
G20 summit declaration stresses seriousness of climate change in snub to Trump
The Leaders' Declaration from a Group of 20 summit in South Africa on Saturday stressed the seriousness of climate change, in a snub to U.S. President Donald Trump, who boycotted the gathering and doubts the scientific consensus that global warming is caused by human activities.
reut.rs
November 22, 2025 at 10:40 AM
G20 summit declaration stresses seriousness of climate change in snub to Trump reut.rs/4ohZpb7
Reposted by Darren Olivier
The first G20 Leaders' Summit in Africa is happening smoothly in Johannesburg, hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Leaders adopted the Leaders' Declaration, a major diplomatic win for South Africa 🇿🇦
Leaders adopted the Leaders' Declaration, a major diplomatic win for South Africa 🇿🇦
November 22, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The first G20 Leaders' Summit in Africa is happening smoothly in Johannesburg, hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Leaders adopted the Leaders' Declaration, a major diplomatic win for South Africa 🇿🇦
Leaders adopted the Leaders' Declaration, a major diplomatic win for South Africa 🇿🇦
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Just because we're on our way to Johannesburg doesn’t mean the Task Force’s work is done. The insights gained in Pretoria will feed into a joint statement to be presented at #MSC2026.
Learn more about the Task Force 👇https://securityconference.org/en/topics/human-security/food-security-task-force/
Learn more about the Task Force 👇https://securityconference.org/en/topics/human-security/food-security-task-force/
November 22, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Just because we're on our way to Johannesburg doesn’t mean the Task Force’s work is done. The insights gained in Pretoria will feed into a joint statement to be presented at #MSC2026.
Learn more about the Task Force 👇https://securityconference.org/en/topics/human-security/food-security-task-force/
Learn more about the Task Force 👇https://securityconference.org/en/topics/human-security/food-security-task-force/