The state, in its effort to reestablish order, must not undermine itself by employing a rogue, unaccountable mercenary force. The International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries, and the accompanying Montreux Document provide the means for oversight.

Human trafficking has reached a rampant level in Vietnam, primarily targeting women, children, and ethnic minorities.

For Russia’s Africa strategy, the most critical soft-power attraction is Russia as an assertive but pragmatic actor; the West must counter Russian soft power operations in Africa by supporting democratic and human rights initiatives.