Today, Les, Jess, John, and Morgan discuss this weekend’s announcement by Niger’s junta that it was suspending military cooperation with Washington and ordering U.S. troops to leave the country.  This comes upon the heels of a coup last summer in Niger, the resulting restrictions on U.S. aid to the country, and recent stories that U.S. and Western intelligence show that Niger is exploring a deal to allow Iran access to its uranium reserves.

What did last week’s visit to Niger by U.S. officials seek to accomplish? How can the United States refresh its approach to foreign policy with African states? Do the events in Niger indicate a diminishing influence of the United States in the region?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!

https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/niger-once-key-u-s-counterterrorism-ally-ends-military-ties-7db66dbe 

https://apnews.com/article/niger-junta-us-military-base-b70bfba835a567d5f3439a32c9c82836

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/17/world/africa/niger-orders-american-troops-out.html

https://www.voanews.com/a/niger-says-announces-end-to-military-cooperation-with-us/7530719.html

https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-says-it-is-willing-to-help-niger-overcome-sanctions/7455787.html 

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/west-african-ecowas-bloc-mulls-new-strategy-towards-junta-states-2024-02-24/ 

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@lestermunson

@morganlroach

@NotTVJessJones

@JohnCLipsey

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