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The security situation in West Africa continues to worsen following a string of military coups and ongoing armed conflicts. Additionally, in Mali and Niger, both former Western allies, new junta-led governments are aligning themselves with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Watch the above video for Straight Arrow News contributor Peter Zeihan‘s analysis of how Nigeria might emerge from these evolving conflicts as Africa’s first modern-world superpower.
Excerpted from Peter’s May 16 “Zeihan on Geopolitics” newsletter:
We’ve got another question for our Ask Peter series today: What are the long-term impacts to Western interests of the recent political upheaval in West Africa/the Sahel, especially given the break in security partnerships with the United States and Paris?
There’s a few ways this could play out, but this situation could lead to increased jihadist activity, some non-state actor proliferation, and further destabilization in the region. Russia might even start poking around by backing certain factions and disrupt these regions further.
Nigeria has an opportunity to step up and play a stabilizing role throughout the region, but addressing these security challenges throughout West Africa will be essential moving forward.
