Russia thwarted France’s latest power play in the Sahel

Filed by Elara Myst

Andrew KorybkoAug 31, 2026 France attempted to exploit the preexisting rivalry between the Nigerien military and the Presidential Guard that was exacerbated by recent terrorist attacks as part of a plot to regain its lost influence.A failed mutiny just took place in Niger after some members of the military turned their guns against the Presidential Guard in the latest phase of those two institutions’ rivalry. Recent terrorist attacks against the capital’s airport by...