Fighting in northeastern Nigeria continues as police and military clash with a radical Islamist group that claims to be “Nigerian Taliban.” At least 250 have died in the violence. These conflicts are particularly problematic for Nigeria, which is already deeply divided between fundamentalist Islamists on the one hand, who support the nationwide imposition of Sharia law, for example, and Christians and secularists, many of whom support more liberal democracy. This violence is certain to entrench both sides (and to provide martyrdom for recruiting efforts for the self-styled Taliban).
