Russia Exploits Western Vacuum in Africa’s Sahel Region

Tension flared following a visit by a U.S. delegation to Niger in March, prompting Niger’s military junta to swiftly terminate a pivotal military agreement with the U.S. This decision follows Niger’s prior cessation of two military contracts with the European Union, intended to quell extremist violence in the Sahel region. Niger’s rejection of democratic ties coincides starkly with its embrace of Russian military assistance, an...