While everyone has their eyes on the war in Ukraine, West Africa is threatening to break out into war.There's been a seemingly unstoppable wave of coups washing along the edge of the Sahara, gaining strength each time.After the recent military coup in Niger, locals were seen chanting "down with France" and "long live Putin".What are France and Russia doing in West Africa? And could they end up in a proxy war?Subscribe to If You're Listening on the <a href="https://radio.abc.net.au/help/apps">ABC Listen app</a>.Find more If You're Listening on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tC3u8NEqU8&t" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_N9w5e9NrE</a>

While everyone has their eyes on the war in Ukraine, West Africa is threatening to break out into war. There's been a seemingly unstoppable wave of coups washing along the edge of the Sahara, gaining strength each time. After the recent military coup in Niger, locals were seen chanting "down with France" and "long live Putin". What are France and Russia doing in West Africa? And could they end up in a proxy war? Subscribe to If You're Listening on the ABC Listen app. Find more If You're Listening on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_N9w5e9NrE

While everyone has their eyes on the war in Ukraine, West Africa is threatening to break out into war.There's been a seemingly unstoppable wave of coups washing along the edge of the Sahara, gaining strength each time.After the recent military coup in Niger, locals were seen chanting "down with France" and "long live Putin".What are France and Russia doing in West Africa? And could they end up in a proxy war?Subscribe to If You're Listening&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.abc.net.au/help/apps" rel="noopener noreferrer">ABC Listen app</a>.Find more If You're Listening on YouTube:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tC3u8NEqU8&amp;t" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_N9w5e9NrE</a>

Why is Russia meddling in West Africa?

The world is on fire. There's a coup. Inflation is through the roof, and AI is taking our jobs. What does it all mean? Each week, Matt Bevan explains the biggest story in world news while hiding in his basement from assassins and authoritarian regimes.

Recent episodes include an exploration of the relationship between India and China, a closer look at the Saudi Arabian city of NEOM, the conflict in the Middle East, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, and Ukraine's incursions into Vladimir Putin's Russia. Matt Bevan draws connections between stories from the past and the events of the present to help listeners understand world news and international affairs.

The podcast also features series about big moments in world news; previous series have focused on the United States presidential election, the United Kingdom's 14 years of Conservative Party leadership, Donald Trump's relationship with Russia, Donald Trump's presidency and promise to Make America Great Again, the Mueller Report, Vladimir Putin's scheme to destroy western democracies, how the relationship between Australia and China came to the verge of collapse, and Australia's turbulent history with climate change.

There's a new episode of If You're Listening every Thursday.

News

Politics

The world is on fire. There's a coup. Inflation is through the roof, and AI is taking our jobs. What does it all mean? Each week, Matt Bevan explains the biggest story in world news while hiding in his basement from assassins and authoritarian regimes. Recent episodes include an exploration of the relationship between India and China, a closer look at the Saudi Arabian city of NEOM, the conflict in the Middle East, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, and Ukraine's incursions into Vladimir Putin's Russia. Matt Bevan draws connections between stories from the past and the events of the present to help listeners understand world news and international affairs. The podcast also features series about big moments in world news; previous series have focused on the United States presidential election, the United Kingdom's 14 years of Conservative Party leadership, Donald Trump's relationship with Russia, Donald Trump's presidency and promise to Make America Great Again, the Mueller Report, Vladimir Putin's scheme to destroy western democracies, how the relationship between Australia and China came to the verge of collapse, and Australia's turbulent history with climate change. There's a new episode of If You're Listening every Thursday.

Share Why is Russia meddling in West Africa?

Sign up to save your podcasts

Why is Russia meddling in West Africa?

Why is Russia meddling in West Africa?

More shows like If You're Listening

Big Ideas

Background Briefing

Late Night Live — Full program podcast

Hack

Pacific Beat

Saturday Extra - Full program podcast

Saturday Extra - Separate stories podcast

Pacific Review

Radio National Breakfast

The Economy, Stupid

Politics Now

Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

RN Drive - Separate stories podcast

AM

PM

Australia Wide

ABC Rewind

ABC News Daily

The World Today

7am

Full Story

What's That Rash?

Ms Represented

Not Stupid

After The Disaster

Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald

ABC News Top Stories

No One Saw It Coming