Giorgio Cafiero is the CEO of Gulf State Analytics, a Washington, DC-based geopolitical risk consultancy.
Daniel Wagner is CEO of Country Risk Solutions and author of the new book, China Vision.
Analysis: The UAE and Bahrain's normalisation of ties with Israel presents both challenges and opportunities for Russian interests in the Middle East.
Comment: Porous borders, extreme poverty and easily available weaponry help make Burkina Faso an ideal refuge for Islamic State, write Giorgio Cafiero and Daniel Wagner.
