Conflicts of Interest
The world is in turmoil — from wars in Europe and the Middle East, to political crises, violent protests, and rising global unrest.
Conflicts of Interest goes beyond the headlines to explain the forces shaping today’s conflicts. Hosted by conflict experts Professor Clionadh Raleigh and Dr Caitriona Dowd, this fortnightly podcast unpacks wars, protests, political violence, and international power struggles with clarity and context.
No drama, no sensationalism — just what happened, why it matters, and how it fits into the bigger picture. For listeners who want to understand war, politics, and global conflict without the noise, Conflicts of Interest makes sense of a world on edge.
Brought to you by ACLED (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data)
Conflicts of Interest
Does Christianity actually play a role in Nigeria’s violence?
With help from President Trump and Nicki Minaj, recent headlines have raised alarm about the safety of Christian communities in Nigeria, with claims that Christians are being deliberately targeted amid worsening insecurity.
These narratives have travelled quickly … shaping political debate, international responses, and public understanding.
But do they reflect the full picture of violence in the country?
In this episode of Conflicts of Interest, Prof. Clionadh Raleigh and Dr Caitriona Dowd examine what the data actually shows. Drawing on analysis from ACLED, they explore who is being targeted, where violence is occurring, and how different forms of conflict intersect across Nigeria.
From insurgency in the northeast and criminal banditry in the northwest, to communal violence, kidnapping, and clashes involving state forces, civilians across religious and ethnic lines are facing growing risks.
They also unpack why Nigeria’s violence is so often framed through a religious lens, and what that framing obscures.
#Nigeria #PoliticalViolence #ReligionAndConflict #CivilianProtection