Linkedin X-twitter
Rising Tensions: The U.S.–Russia Standoff and Its Consequences for NATO and Ukraine
Read More
Beyond the Battlefield: Sudan’s Women and Children
Read More
Fola Aina: The Current Islamist Insurgency in Nigeria
Listen Now
Sudan: Theatre Where Many, Competing Interests Meet and Clash
Read More
Bridging Land and Sea: Rethinking Security in the Red Sea Arena
Read More

Promoting Evidence-based Policy and Good Governance

Democracy & Human Rights, Africa

Dec 3 , 2025

Op-Ed

Beyond the Battlefield: Sudan’s Women and Children

,
More than two years into the Sudan's civil war, the power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group, continues unabated. The conflict erupted in April 2023, when a long-standing rivalry between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the SAF and Mohamed

READ MORE

Defense & Security, Middle East

Dec 1 , 2025

Op-Ed

Global Power Shifts are Playing out in the Red Sea Region: Why This is Where the Rules are Changing

Global power shifts are playing out in the Red Sea region: why this is where the rules are changing Federico Donelli, University of Trieste The competition for global influence and control is shifting. One of the places where this dynamic is playing out is the Red Sea region, which encompasses

READ MORE

Defense & Security, Europe & Central Asia

Nov 18 , 2025

Policy Brief

Rising Tensions: The U.S.–Russia Standoff and Its Consequences for NATO and Ukraine

Introduction President Donald Trump recently accused Russia of conducting underground nuclear tests, while President Vladimir Putin, responding to U.S. discussions about providing Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, warned that such a move would mark a “qualitatively new stage of escalation.”[1] These developments signal a renewed rise in U.S.-Russia tensions and highlight

READ MORE

Terrorism & Extremism, Africa

Nov 17 , 2025

Podcast

Fola Aina: The Current Islamist Insurgency in Nigeria

In this episode, host Marta Furlan talks with Fola Aina about the current security situation in Nigeria and the threat posed by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province. The episode starts with Dr. Aina giving a comprehensive and detailed overview of the current status of the Boko

READ MORE

Democracy & Human Rights, Terrorism & Extremism, Africa

Nov 11 , 2025

Policy Brief

Sudan: Theatre Where Many, Competing Interests Meet and Clash

After 18 months of siege marked by starvation, targeted killings, and sexual violence, El Fasher – the capital of North Darfur – fell to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). As of the time of this writing, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) control most of the north, east, and central regions,

READ MORE

Defense & Security, Africa

Nov 6 , 2025

Policy Brief

Bridging Land and Sea: Rethinking Security in the Red Sea Arena

The Red Sea has shifted from a central shipping lane to a strategically important area linking Africa, Arabia, the Indo-Pacific, and global powers. The distinction between land and sea is fading — as are old assumptions about regional order. From Peripheral Sea to Global Chokepoint Long seen as a peripheral

READ MORE

Defense & Security, South Asia

Oct 31 , 2025

Policy Brief

ASEAN Summit 2025: Navigating Great-Power Rivalry in Kuala Lumpur

From October 25 to 28, the ASEAN 47th Summit in Kuala Lumpur became the world’s most important diplomatic scenario. The summit gathered thirty heads of state and government, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The gathering, thus, has been crucial not only for the future of

READ MORE

Americas

Oct 24 , 2025

Research

Funding Gaps and Service Cuts: Reimagining Public Transit for an Equitable Future

,

Executive Summary Many major American metropolitan public transportation organizations are confronting critical funding shortfalls in the coming years, which they warn will force them to implement drastic service reductions and fare increases without further investment. Among other benefits, public transportation is a vital resource for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, who

READ MORE

Latest Research

Terrorism & Extremism, Middle East

Jul 26 , 2025

Research Report

The Houthi Drone Supply Chain

,

The Houthi movement, designated by the U.S. as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), has emerged as the most prolific violent non-state actor employing Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). According to GTTAC data, the group has conducted 388 drone attacks from 2018 to 2024, targeting a wide array of actors, including the

READ MORE

Indo – Pacific, Middle East

Jul 10 , 2025

Policy Brief

IMEC and the Battle for Connectivity: Why Trieste Matters

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a visionary infrastructure and cooperation initiative that was officially launched at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi. The IMEC’s primary aim is to enhance connectivity and promote robust economic collaboration between India and Eurasia. The corridor comprises land rail links and shipping

READ MORE

Middle East

Jun 29 , 2025

Policy Brief

Gulf Arab States Need Israel and Iran to De-escalate

President Donald J. Trump successfully cajoling Israel and Iran into a precarious ceasefire this month was welcome news in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Wanting stability to prevail in the region, the Gulf Arab monarchies have stakes in this truce holding up so that the Israel-Iran war does

READ MORE

Democracy & Human Rights, Middle East

Jun 27 , 2025

Research

Women and War in Syria: Gendering of the Syrian Civil War

, ,

A comprehensive overview of the Syrian Civil War extends from its origins during the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011 through to the fall of the Assad regime in 2024 and continues into the country’s ongoing transitional period. It examines the rise of extremist groups and assesses the role of foreign

READ MORE

Defense & Security

Jun 5 , 2025

Policy Brief

Iran-Russia Military Technology Collaboration

Executive Summary At the beginning of the Cold War in the 1950’s the United States and the Soviet Union competed with arms and technology exports in their respective regions of influence. After the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia sold much of its Cold War-era military and technology arsenal to Soviet satellites,

READ MORE

Africa

May 26 , 2025

Policy Brief

Las Anood and the Crisis of Somali State-Building: Clan Politics, Federal Tensions, and External Stakes

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s recent visit to Las Anood was heralded as a historic event, eliciting a mix of positive reactions from supporters of national unity and strong negative reactions from Somaliland. However, rather than consolidating the Somali state-building process and promoting greater dialogue with the newly elected

READ MORE

About Orion Policy

Research

Our comprehensive research spans critical sectors, offering detailed insights and actionable recommendations. Explore how we address pressing national and global issues to drive effective governance and informed decision-making.

Experts

Our team consists of a diverse group of professionals who bring a wealth of expertise in global security, governance, and development. With a deep commitment to policy solutions, our experts work to address the complex challenges of our time, ensuring that our insights drive impactful change.

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote good governance, advance human rights, and improve policy through high-quality research. We seek to generate practical and sustainable solutions based on multi-disciplinary, diverse, and in-depth scientific research and analysis.

Subscribe to the Orion Policy Brief

Get a daily newsletter with our best research on top issues.

Support Our Work

Invest in promoting policy and good governance
Donate