
Biden’s Strategy in the Sahel Looks a Lot Like Trump’s
U.S. diplomacy is back in West Africa—but the United States is also back to its old counterterrorism playbook.

How to Restore U.S. Credibility in Africa
By standing up for democracy and free trade, the United States can outflank China and Russia, its authoritarian rivals on the continent.

Peacekeeping Missions and a Marshall Plan Won’t Save Mali
The country needs stronger institutions to bolster public confidence in the democratic system. The international community can help.

France and the United States Are Making West Africa’s Security Situation Worse
France’s unilateralism and the United States’ wavering are destabilizing the Sahel—and creating an opening for Russia and China.

Is Trump Touting His Diplomatic Achievements to Get Reelected?
Both parties have featured speeches from key diplomats at their conventions, with Mike Pompeo making a controversial cameo at the RNC—but they aren’t proposing much that’s new.

The African Union’s Hypocrisy Undermines Its Credibility
The AU’s double standard on lifelong leaders who reject term limits undercuts its moral standing to reject military coups.

Can Mali Escape Its Past?
Politics in the country have followed familiar cycles of violence and collapse.

Coup Plotters in Mali Were Trained by U.S. Military
The overthrow, swiftly condemned by the U.S. government, could pose a setback in the regional fight against extremist groups.

Mali Needs a Marshall Plan, Not a Military Regime
American, French, and West African leaders must pressure the army to stand down and form an interim government, before a power vacuum and violent extremism threaten the entire region.

A Coup Won’t End Mali’s Corruption and Insecurity
Replacing the president won’t resolve the country’s deep-seated political problems. If neighboring nations and global powers don’t demand a democratic transition, it could lead to greater instability across West Africa.

Al Qaeda and ISIS Had a Truce in Africa—Until They Didn’t
The Sahel region was inching toward stability, but conflict between local jihadi groups is threatening to bring back chaos.

U.S. to Ramp Up Counterterrorism Efforts in Sahel Region
Despite years of U.S. and international efforts to fight terrorism in the area, extremist groups are gaining ground.

2020 Could be Niger’s Year of Reckoning
The country is home to one of the largest deployments of U.S. military personnel in Africa and is a linchpin of regional stability—but the coming year could throw all that into turmoil.

Africa’s ‘Civil Wars’ Are Regional Nightmares
Long considered domestic issues, the continent’s battles are really international contests for influence and power.

Dumping One Government Won’t Fix Mali
March’s deadly massacre exposed the lack of progress since the country’s peace accords—and the many political and security reforms that are needed.