Rephonic
Artwork for The Horn
Sudan
Ethiopia
Khartoum
Horn Of Africa
South Sudan
Darfur
Sudanese Armed Forces
Rapid Support Forces
Somalia
Kenya
Humanitarian Crisis
United Nations
International Crisis Group
United States
African Union
UAE
Chad
Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
Al-Shabaab
Africa

The Horn of Africa is in turmoil. From revolution in Sudan to civil war in Ethiopia, from Somalia’s political stalemate and the regional spread of jihadism to troubled East African democracies, the region’s pace and scale of change are difficult to keep up with. The Horn, a podcast series from the International Crisis Group, helps make sense of it all. Host Alan Boswell and guests dive deep behind... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes171Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for The Horn

Latest Episodes

In this episode of The Horn, Alan speaks with Babatunde Afolabi, former Africa Director at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), now Director of Political Affairs at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, about mediat... more

In this episode of The Horn, Alan is joined by scholar and author Samson Abebe Bezabeh, a professor at the University of Hong Kong, to discuss Djibouti’s domestic politics and shifting role in a turbulent region. They explore Djibouti’s history, its ... more

In this episode of The Horn, Alan is joined by journalist and author Nesrine Malik. They take stock of Sudan’s war after more than three years of fighting and consider where the conflict might be headed. They discuss what the wars in Sudan and Gaza r... more

In this episode of The Horn, Alan is joined by Omar Mahmood, Crisis Group’s Senior Analyst for Somalia and the Horn of Africa, to discuss the deeper implications of Somalia’s new election crisis. They discuss the looming electoral standoff as Preside... more

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Recent Guests

Samson Abebe Bezabeh
Professor and author of Djibouti, A Political History
Academic author
Episode: Tiny Djibouti, and Its Prime Real Estate
Nesrine Malik
Author and Guardian columnist
The Guardian
Episode: Sudan, and a Region and World in Upheaval
Shewit Woldemichael
Crisis Group Sudan expert
International Crisis Group
Episode: Bonus Episode: After Three Years of War in Sudan, What Hope for a Ceasefire?
Hafsa Halawa
Analyst focused on the Middle East, North Africa and Horn of Africa
Independent analyst/specialist
Episode: How the Iran War is Reshaping the Region
H. Hellyer
Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies; Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress
Royal United Services Institute; Center for American Progress
Episode: Behind the Saudi-Emirati Rift
Dr. Asher Lubotzky
A senior research fellow in the Israel-Africa Relations Institute
Episode: Israel, Somaliland and the Horn
Kristof Titeca
Professor at Antwerp University, focused on Uganda and Central Africa.
Antwerp University
Episode: Uganda after Museveni
Heiko Nitzschke
Germany's special envoy for The Horn of Africa
German Government
Episode: Global Disorder, Horn of Africa Turmoil. Can Europe Keep Up?
Julia Steers
Investigations editor at Lighthouse Reports
Lighthouse Reports
Episode: The El Fasher Atrocities

Host

Alan Boswell
Host of The Horn; International Crisis Group

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 238 ratings
  • Brilliant

    Necessary information, always interesting and expert guests

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jamie_HH
    Germanya year ago
  • I really appreciate the time taken to have this discussion on the events in Sudan and this gave a great overview of why and how the conflict continues.

    Audible
    5
    Murley Family
    United States3 years ago
  • Very informative

    I really appreciate the time taken to have this discussion on the events in Sudan and this gave a great overview of why and how the conflict continues.

    Audible
    5
    Murley Family
    United States3 years ago
  • Propaganda & Crisis Manufacturers

    The name of the group tells it all - there is significant moral hazard with their analyses. What if there was no crises? Obviously an existential threat. They have absolutely no credibility among a vast majority of informed Africans and citizens of the Horn. Westerners in Africa, getting western funding to “analyze crises” -besides the colonial stink – does one expect to get anything impartial? More likely: Parrot donor policy and exaggeration/perpetuation of crises. Probably explains why at lea... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    atoayu
    United States4 years ago
  • Stick to the horn

    Good podcast but please stick to the Horn of Africa. I can get general Africa need and commentary from dozens of other podcasts. I listen to this one for this focus on horn voices.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sarita7981
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the show for expert guests and structured, insightful discussions.
Fans appreciate the Horn's focused coverage of the Horn of Africa, with expert analysis on regional dynamics.
Some critics question perceived bias and dependence on crisis-centric viewpoints.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#87
United Kingdom/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#247
Canada/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#30
Italy/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#204
Italy/News
Apple Podcasts
#208
France/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#241
Australia/News/News Commentary

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Tiny Djibouti, and Its Prime Real Estate
Q: How does Djibouti navigate regional security and great-power competition, given its garrison-state status and multiple foreign bases?
The guest notes that Djibouti's small size necessitates balancing power by aligning with different global powers when needed, maintaining strategic flexibility, and leveraging its ports to secure sustainable rents while avoiding exclusive dependence on any single power.
Tiny Djibouti, and Its Prime Real Estate
Q: What are the main drivers behind the current leader's lengthy tenure and family-based power structure?
The guest describes a system where clan dynamics (Mamassan and Issa, among others) and military influence shape succession, with elections staged to maintain control by a ruling group rather than a broad mandate; transitions are managed to avoid broad consensus across all sub-clans.
Tiny Djibouti, and Its Prime Real Estate
Q: So historically, what is now called Djibouti and its adjoining places has been populated by different kinds of people, and how has that history shaped current politics?
The guest explains that Djibouti has long been a crossroads with Hadramis, Indians, Ethiopians, and later colonial French influence; the modern state emerged with complex ethnic dynamics (Issa, Afar, Arab minorities) and a history of competition among clans that continues to influence governance and succession today.
Bonus Episode: After Three Years of War in Sudan, What Hope for a Ceasefire?
Q: What would a viable endgame look like in terms of political governance post-conflict?
A viable endgame would likely involve a civilian-led government with security sector reform, verified withdrawals and disarmament, and a framework for reintegrating armed groups into a unified national army, supported by regional security guarantees.
Bonus Episode: After Three Years of War in Sudan, What Hope for a Ceasefire?
Q: What are the biggest obstacles to a durable ceasefire between the SAF and RSF right now?
Key obstacles include the RSF's preconditions for withdrawal and disarmament, SAF's demand for ultimate loyalty to a single national army, and the involvement of external backers who map to each side, making a unified peace strategy difficult.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Horn

What is The Horn about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A region-focused geopolitical podcast that dissects conflicts, diplomacy, and regional power plays in the Horn of Africa and surrounding areas. Episodes typically feature in-depth conversations with policy researchers, crisis analysts, journalists, and regional experts to unpack wars, mediation efforts, and international responses, often linking events in Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Red Sea to global security dynamics. Noteworthy is the emphasis on regional voices and practical diplomacy, with guests who provide on-the-ground context, strategic insights, and concrete implications for peacebuilding and policy. This mix makes it valuable for listeners who want rigorous analysis, access to expert perspectives, and a clearer understanding... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Horn?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Horn:

1. Hold Your Fire!
2. The China in Africa Podcast
3. Focus on Africa
4. Global Dispatches -- World News That Matters
5. Foreign Policy Live

How many episodes of The Horn are there?

The Horn launched 7 years ago and published 171 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Horn?

Recent guests on The Horn include:

1. Samson Abebe Bezabeh
2. Nesrine Malik
3. Shewit Woldemichael
4. Hafsa Halawa
5. H. Hellyer
6. Dr. Asher Lubotzky
7. Kristof Titeca
8. Heiko Nitzschke

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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