Africa
Militants' blockade of Mali capital is a test for the US
Amid fears of a jihadist advance on Bamako, Washington must decide whether backing a failing junta would make the situation worse
November 19, 2025
Amid fears of a jihadist advance on Bamako, Washington must decide whether backing a failing junta would make the situation worse
The Russians are the only external forces left trying to keep the al-Qaeda linked JNIM militants at bay and it's looking grim
But in other parts of Africa the PMCs have been brought under direct control of the Russian government and they aren't going anywhere.
More US military aid for Sahel juntas won’t stop extremist violence — and may make it worse
As jihadist violence spreads in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, Western influence wanes, and democracy fades into memory