The Sahel region of African is the southern part of the Sahara desert.The geographic region includes 9 countries including Mali, Algeria and parts of the Sudans.The area has become the focus of international security concerns after Islamic militants claimed 2/3rds of Mali and have launched terrorist attacks across the region.Some 50 Algerian and foreign workers have been killed during a terrorist attack and hostage taking at a desert gas plant in Algeria. Veteran Islamist fighter Mokhtar Belmokhtar has claimed responsibility for the attack on behalf of al Qaeda.
-Antoine Lokongo, Former London Based Journalist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Currently a researcher at the Center for African Studies of Peking University.
-Ayo Johnson, Director of Viewpoint Africa and Ambassador of SABRE- A charity building schools in Africa.
-David H Shinn, Professor of International Affairs at the George Washington University's Elliot School of International Affairs.
Panel Discussion:
 

Global Talks: Today's events include 1.5 billion dollars in aid to Syria as Israel is accussed of launching an air strike inside the country, Egypt trying to calm violence and pushing for political dialogue, South Korea successfully sending a rocket into space, the US economy unexpectedly shrinking, and Australia calling early elections and much much more.