Tuareg

With its mineral wealth and jihadist dilemma, Mali is entertaining both the Americans and the Russians, to see what each can offer, and what they want in return

Al Qaeda affiliates are working with Tuareg fighters to overrun Mali, with historic Timbuktu set to fall, and the capital Bamako also encircled. In this part of the world, pragmatism is a necessity.

A coordinated attack by an Al-Qaida-linked group and Tuareg rebels was the most serious on Mali's Russian-backed military junta in years. After years of dominance, this puts Moscow on the back foot.

Tuareg rebels who have long sought to form the independent nation of Azawad have come together to fight Mali's new military leaders and their Russian mercenary friends. Will it help them?