Czech-Slovak Institute of Oriental Studies

nigeria, westafrica, securitygovernance, elections2027, politicalrisk, statebuilding, sahel,

Nigeria at a Crossroads: Security, Governance, and Social Cohesion Ahead of the 2027 Elections

Jan Záhořík

2026-01-16 15:04

2026 will decide Nigeria’s future. Without real security and governance reform, the 2027 elections risk accelerating fragmentation instead of democracy.

csiors, abiyahmed-, hornofafrica-, tigray-, ethiopia-, orthodox-, pentecostal-, religionandpolitics-,

Ethiopia’s New Religious “Wars”: Pentecostal Power, Orthodox Resistance, and Abiy’s Theological Politics

Ethiopia’s New Religious “Wars”: Pentecostal Power, Orthodox Resistance, and Abiy’s Theological Politi

Jan Záhořík and Weldeabrha Niguse Gebreslassie

2025-12-01 08:52

Ethiopia’s new conflict lines run through theology, not just ethnicity. Pentecostal rise, Orthodox resistance, and Muslim anxiety reshape state power.

csiors-, nigeria-, governance-, africa-, ethiopia-, inequality-, development-, healthcare-, publichealth-, healthsystems-, globalhealth-, healthsovereignty, policy-, fragility-, resilience,

Between resilience and structural fragility: Ethiopia and Nigeria — two different paths to the same crisis

Jan Záhořík

2025-11-10 08:33

Ethiopia and Nigeria—two distinct health care paths revealing Africa’s struggle between resilience, inequality, and dependency.

iraq-, ninewa-, peacebuilding-, postconflict-, reconciliation-, research-, humansecurity,

In Ninewa, Peace Holds but Trust Remains Fragile

Saywan Ibrahim

2025-10-24 10:40

Eight years after ISIL’s fall, peace in Ninewa is fragile. Saywan Ibrahim examines mistrust, return, and justice in Iraq’s “small Iraq.”

csiors-, geopolitics-, africa-, globalpolitics-, infrastructure-, hydropower-, lng-, development-, sovereignty-, afcfta-, energytransition,

Africa in the Era of Megaprojects: Hydropower, LNG, and the Geopolitics of Infrastructure

Jan Záhořík

2025-10-14 11:39

Africa’s megaprojects are reshaping sovereignty and power — from dams to LNG — redefining the continent’s role in global geopolitics.

africa, ethiopia-, gerd-, energy-, diplomacy,

Opening of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as part of Ethiopia’s Exceptionalism

Jan Záhořík

2025-09-15 12:32

GERD: Ethiopia’s exceptionalism or exposure? From Adwa’s legacy to Addis Ababa’s role, the Nile dam tells a bigger story.

csiors, geopolitics-, africa-, brics-, multipolarity-, senegal-, france-,

France’s military departure from Senegal in broader perspective

Jan Záhořík

2025-08-04 12:14

France’s exit from Senegal marks more than a military move—it’s a sign of a broader African shift toward sovereignty, pragmatism, and multipolar power.

nigeria-, oil-, energysecurity-, governance-, sustainability,

Sabotage and Sovereignty: Oil Theft and the Long Road to Reform in Nigeria

Jan Záhořík and Adesuwa Erediauwa

2025-07-07 10:16

How does oil theft erode Nigeria’s sovereignty? Sabotage, corruption, and hope in the Dangote Refinery’s era—find the answers within.

aviation-, africarising-, centraleurope-, connectivity-, partnership,

Africa’s Future in Aviation and Connectivity, Opportunity for Central Europe

Jan Záhořík

2025-06-17 10:13

Africa’s aviation boom is knitting the continent together—and opening fresh, high-value tech & training opportunities for Central-European partners.

syria-, issamkhoury-, politicaleconomy-, middleeast-, csiors, alarour-, thomasbarak-, saudiinfluence,

Issam Khoury on Air: Six Tough Questions Syria Can’t Dodge

2025-06-09 13:01

Issam Khoury on Syria’s transition, Barak’s economic role, and Saudi influence behind Al-Arour’s new tone. A shift or another illusion?

ecowas-, westafrica-, togo-, regionalintegration-, geopolitics-, sahel-, security-, russianinfluence-, africapolitics,

Togo’s Potential Departure from ECOWAS: A Blow to Regional Integration and a Boon for Russian Influence in the Sahel

Togo’s Potential Departure from ECOWAS: A Blow to Regional Integration and a Boon for Russian Influence in t

Jan Záhořík

2025-05-22 11:05

Togo’s potential exit from ECOWAS could fracture West African unity, weaken security cooperation, and open the door to greater Russian influence in the Sahel.

eritrea-, ethiopia-, hornofafrica-, tigrayconflict-, geopolitics-, africanpolitics-, csiors-, politicalinstability-, ethnicfederalism-, regionalsecurity,

Eritrea's Role in Ethiopia’s Politics and Instability

Jan Záhořík

2025-05-12 13:43

Eritrea plays a dual role in Ethiopia—reinforcing central power while deepening fragmentation. A critical look at its paradoxical influence.

saudiarabia-, medina-, vision2030-, heritageandmodernity-, minimanhattan-, middleeasttravel-, culturalblend-, skylinesandsouqs,

Saudi Arabia Rising – Between Skyscrapers and Sacred Cities

Tomas Krizan

2025-04-28 16:42

Saudi Arabia balances sacred heritage with soaring skylines—Medina’s “mini-Manhattan” shows how modern projects rise while tradition and faith remain central.

africarising-, geopolitics-, euinvest-, usaid-, chinainafrica-, industrialization-, globalsouth-, strategicpartnership-, urbanization-, futureofdevelopment,

Why the World Need a More Developed Africa: reflections on Africa and the West in the Trump Era

Jan Záhořík

2025-04-22 12:24

"Trump wants USAID gone while China pours billions into Africa; if Europe keeps lecturing instead of investing, a 2.5‑billion‑person powerhouse will look East."

nigeria-, foreignpolicy-, geopolitics-, brics,

Nigeria between the West and BRICS: Reflections of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy

Jan Záhořík

2025-03-12 08:31

Nigeria navigates between the West and BRICS, balancing economic and political interests while maintaining strategic autonomy in a shifting global landscape.

nigeria-, ethiopia, futureofnigeria-, highereducation-, educationreform-, edtech-, educationcrisis-, africadevelopment-, inclusiveeducation,

A Ticking Time Bomb?

Jan Záhořík

2025-02-12 10:07

Major Challenges in Higher Education in Nigeria and Ethiopia Nigeria and Ethiopia are the two most populous countries in Africa. At the same time, bo

syria-, issamkhoury-, minorities-, popularwill-,

Issam Khoury on Al-Youm Channel: Redefining Minorities and Popular Will in Syria

2025-01-13 10:08

Issam Khoury, senior advisor at the Czech-Slovak Institute of Oriental Studies, shares insights on Al-Youm Channel about redefining Syria's identity and unity.

syrianopposition-, middleeastpolitics-, aleppoconflict-, hamabattles-, iranianinfluence,

Far from the Battles of Aleppo

Issam Khoury

2024-12-05 02:00

"Opposition gains control in Aleppo as corruption in regime areas exposed, while battles in Hama could decide the future of Syria's regime."

hayattahriralsham-, middleeastpolitics, syrianconflict-, turkeysyriatensions-, aleppoattack-,

The Sudden Attack on Aleppo

Issam Khoury

2024-11-27 22:00

"Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham's rapid advance near Aleppo signals a power shift, raising stakes for Turkey-backed factions and the Syrian regime."

middleeastpolitics-, syrianconflict-, sdf-, turkeysyriatensions-, trumpadministration,

Priorities of the Syrian Democratic Forces

Issam Khoury

2024-11-27 05:00

"Skirmishes rise between Syrian Democratic Forces and Turkey-backed factions, as both sides seek leverage before Trump’s administration begins."

Seminars and Events