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  • Politics
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  • Niger
The foreign ministers of the Confederation of Sahel States attend a press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on April 3, 2025. Pavel Bednyakov / AFP

Why Russia is doubling down on diplomacy in the Sahel

Amid growing competition for influence in Africa from the US, Moscow has been deepening military and economic ties there, especially in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. Now, it must deliver.

Sergey Eledinov 09 August 2025
This video grab shows Malian security personnel detaining a man after Mali's army said a military training camp in the capital, Bamako, was attacked on September 17 2024. AP

Bamako attacks expose the fragility of AES states

A recent jihadist attack on Mali's capital and a growing threat from northern rebels reportedly getting help from Ukraine begs the question: is the Sahel a new Russia-West battleground?

Aman Bezreh 28 September 2024
An Algerian official carries a child in a transit camp as Nigerien migrants in Algeria are repatriated by Algerian authorities back to Niger on June 29, 2018, in Laghouat, northern Algeria. AFP

Niger and Algeria draw battle lines over illegal migrants

Niger accuses Algeria of mistreating EU-bound Nigeriens by dumping them back in the desert. Algeria accuses Niger of opening the floodgates. Neither is backing down.

Rabia Khreis 30 April 2024
Two soldiers raise the flags of Niger and the United States during a ceremony in Agadez in April 2018.

Uranium in the Sahel: As the West steps out, Iran steps in

The US and French withdrawal from the Sahel lets the Russians, Chinese, and Iranians in. Tehran, in particular, will be keen to buy Niger's uranium, despite this being a red line for Washington.

Mohamed Sharki 22 April 2024
Washington has finally woken up to the importance of developing this vital region, with Nigeria showing the greatest investment potential — in the trillions. Majalla

Blinken tours West Africa with eye on safeguarding maritime trade

Washington has finally woken up to the importance of developing this vital region, with Nigeria showing the greatest investment potential — in the trillions.

Mohamed Sharki 28 January 2024
On this day, exactly two months ago, a coup took place in Niger, delivering another blow to France's declining influence in the Sahel. Instead of backing its ally, the US has taken a more nuanced position. Majalla/Agencies

Did US pragmatism in Niger underpin France's decision to end its military presence?

Two months ago today, a coup took place in Niger that delivered yet another blow to France's declining influence in the Sahel. Without US support, Paris has decided to pack up and leave.

Khattar Abu Diab 26 September 2023
France’s Suez Moment has been a drawn-out one. Its influence has waxed and waned since the 1960s, but it has been on an overall downward trajectory throughout. Al Majalla explains. Majalla/Agencies

France’s African empire may have had its ‘Suez Moment’

France's 'Suez Moment' has been a drawn-out one. Its influence has waxed and waned since the 1960s, but it has been on an overall downward trajectory throughout. Al Majalla explains.

Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy 24 September 2023
A supporter of Niger's National Council of Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) holds a placard of Niger's new military ruler, General Abdourahamane Tiani, as they gather at Place de la Concertation in Niamey on August 20, 2023. AFP

Niger coup: Lessons learned and the dark road ahead

ECOWAS member states are well aware that an armed conflict would worsen the region's existing instability. The mere mention of a military intervention has been enough to divide West African nations.

Khaled Hamadeh 23 August 2023
A man blows into a vuvuzela while waving Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso flags as supporters cheer from the stands for artists performing during a concert in support of Niger's National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) AFP

Eye on Niger: Who will win in a multipolar contest for Africa influence?

Until the West can prove that it can address the economic and security challenges Sahel countries face, the governance models represented by China or Russia will continue to gain more appeal.

Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy 15 August 2023
Protesters wave Nigerien and Russian flags as they gather during a rally in support of Niger's junta in Niamey on July 30, 2023. AFP

Niger coup marks yet another French setback in the African Sahel

France is especially affected by the coup, as it has previously lost similar bases in Mali and Burkina Faso due to coups allegedly linked to Wagner activities

Mohamed Sharki 05 August 2023
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Politics

From covert to overt: Netanyahu's Doha strike is telling

11 September 2025

His emerging strategy shows a willingness to gamble on high-profile assassinations, even at the expense of diplomatic blowback, regional stability, and fragile negotiations

Michael Horowitz
A Hezbollah flag is placed in front of the shrine of Shamoun al-Safa, built within a castle in the village of Shamaa in southern Lebanon's Tyre governorate, on January 31, 2025, that was heavily damaged by Israeli bombing. Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP
Business & Economy

Trump Economic Zone plan raises eyebrows in Lebanon

11 September 2025

Many Lebanese see the project as a demographic one with economic dressings aimed at expelling the country's southern population from their lands

Souraya Chahine
Activists protest near the US Capitol on July 24, 2024, in Washington, DC. Activists staged multiple demonstrations near the Capitol to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington and Israel's war on Gaza. Alex Wong/ AFP
Politics

Americans are tiring of Israel. Will US policy follow?

01 September 2025

While the US public has long been supportive of Israel, its genocide in Gaza appears to have had a big effect, with most young Americans now outright hostile towards it

Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy
Opinion

'The Voice of Hind Rajab' shows cries for justice are only getting louder

07 September 2025

A 24-minute standing ovation at the film premiere was more than a symbolic gesture of justice for Israel's murder of little Hind, but a heartfelt cry of real anguish over the ongoing genocide in Gaza

Samer Abou Hawwach
Al Majalla
Culture & Social Affairs

Fathy Embaby on using history to understand the present

05 September 2025

The Egyptian novelist—one of the Arab world's renowned writers of epic fiction—reveals the details of his craft to Al Majalla as the fourth book in his 'River' series captures a key moment

El-Sayed Hussein

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OPINIONS

May Telmissany: we lack a distinct Arab literary identity

El-Sayed Hussein
El-Sayed Hussein

Pivot to China? Gulf states mull options after Doha strike

Xiaotong Yang
Xiaotong Yang

Exploding robots: Israel's latest hammer to level Gaza

Salem Al Rayyes
Salem Al Rayyes

Cheers and jeers: Ethiopia inaugurates controversial dam

Sharif Mohammad
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