France’s influence in Africa is shifting as the coup in Gabon sparks change. The era of ‘Françafrique’ may be coming to an end.

The UK has resolutely designated Russia’s Wagner Group, notorious for its global conflicts and alleged abuses, as a “terrorist organization,” amplifying its commitment to safeguarding democracy and international security.

France and Russia’s geopolitical disputes have affected tens of millions, and West Africa has gradually become their new regional fight for influence. Overall, Africa’s future can only be decided by Africans and not outside world powers, whether it is Russia or France.

The recent clash between the CMA, the Malian army, and the Wagner mercenary group is a stark reminder of the fragile security situation in northern Mali, underscoring regional and international actors’ profound influence in shaping events.

Decades of overextending their land ambitions through several enclaves, overestimating their military capabilities, and lacking support amongst their allies have finally returned to haunt the Russian Federation. The war in Ukraine can become the third spark of collapse against Moscow for the third time over the past century, and the world must prepare for this domino effect.

Vladimir Putin’s ironclad grip on Russia, reminiscent of George Orwell’s 1984, is beginning to show cracks, revealing a bubbling cauldron of inner circle strife and public discontent that threatens to rupture his carefully constructed edifice of power.

The Wagner Group, operating as a clandestine extension of Russian state power under the guise of a commercial entity, is casting a long, ominous shadow across the vast expanses of Africa, reshaping the theatre of conflict and global power dynamics.

The resulting shifts in power structures and global alliances in Niger and Mali will likely resonate throughout the international community, underscoring the global implications of local conflicts and power struggles.

Strategic airpower, in the form of A10 Thunderbolt II’s, AC-130 gunships, and fighter jet support, is the game-changing element Ukraine needs to decisively repel Russian forces and secure victory.

A potential loss of Bakhmut only a few months after Russia captured the city in a Pyrrhic victory would demoralize what was left of their invasion force.

In this global chess match, an unstable Russia could be an invitation for China to expedite its ambitions in leading global governance, shaping international norms and standards to its liking.

Buckle up, ladies, and gents, because in this high-stakes game of international intrigue, with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Russia’s Wagner Group, going rogue, it’s not just a wrench in the gears – it’s a hand grenade in a Russian powder keg.

Betrayals are turning allies into enemies. Power plays are igniting the flames of conflict setting the stage for a high stakes battle that could potentially plunge Russia into civil war and leave the world on the brink of chaos.

In the high-stakes game of geopolitical power, if Yevgeny Prigozhin attempted a power grab in Russia, President Putin would likely respond with swift and decisive action, leveraging his extensive network and propaganda machinery to maintain control and downplay the situation, showcasing the fragility of Russia’s internal dynamics in this critical moment.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the elusive and powerful figure at the helm of the Wagner Group, emerges as a significant player within Russia’s political and military circles, his journey from a troubled past to a key role in Russia’s power dynamics underscoring his resilience and strategic acumen amidst international scrutiny.

I remember sitting with a Russian friend of mine in a fancy New York restaurant overlooking the Hudson River in 2020. My very wealthy, very connected, and very smart friend was worried. He was concerned that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was a tipping point and that Russia would eventually slip into a civil war that […]

Russian soldiers and Wagner Group mercenaries turn their weapons on one another during an unexpected turn in the fighting in Ukraine.

Preemptions must be made to contain Wagner and its influence as the PMCs look to further their extreme violence to attract more followers and influence. Like ISIS, ultimately the group will become a major global security problem unless their external operations are kept in check.

The battle for Bakhmut has been long and challenging, with both sides suffering heavy losses. However, Ukraine is now in a position to reclaim the region and end the local conflict.

Russian forces and Wagner Group mercenaries continue pounding the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, slowly forcing Ukrainian forces to exit the city. But at what cost?