🇺🇸 🌍 🇷🇺 Three West African juntas have turned to Russia. Now the US wants to engage them

The state department announced that Nick Checker, head of its Bureau of African Affairs, would visit Mali's capital Bamako to convey the United States' "respect for Mali's sovereignty" and chart a "new course" in relations, moving "past policy missteps".

The US, like Europe, remains seriously concerned about the long-term security threat posed by the jihadist groups now operating across the Sahel - the semi-arid stretch of land south of the Sahara Desert. According to some definitions, the region now accounts for half of all the world's terrorism deaths.

Although almost all the casualties are local, there is concern in the US that the governments' loss of control of much of their territory could allow the emergence of safe havens for jihadist groups to develop further and expand.

Diplomats and analysts routinely now describe the region as the "epicentre of global terrorism", which could present a long-term international threat.

A fresh reminder of the scale of threat that it poses came only last week with an attack on the airport in Niamey, Niger's capital.

The jihadist activity is also a threat to the Sahel's export of valuable or strategically important minerals: the region is a major producer of gold and Mali also produces lithium – a key ingredient in rechargeable batteries and also used in some medication – while Niger has significant uranium reserves.

The Trump administration also appears concerned not to leave Russia to play the role of sole external defence partner of the three countries.

It seems that Washington does not want to leave the field open for exclusively Russian influence and does now want to balance that with its own security partnership.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckglwnrx437o

📢 🇺🇸 🇻🇮 Trump: "I never went to the infested Epstein island."

📎 Disclosetv

— 🇺🇸 NEW: In a strange series of text messages with an unknown individual named 'Harry Fish', the conversation ranges from pop tarts to the Sultan of Brunei wanting a new bionic penis

Fish replies 'you're joking I hope', to which Epstein responds: 'nope, goyim.'

@Middle_East_Spectator

🇺🇸 🇨🇺 🇲🇽 Trump on Cuba:

📢 "Mexico is going to cease sending them oil."

📎 Clash Report

🇨🇺💬🇺🇸 — The Cuban government proposed cooperating with the U.S. government in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, and money laundering, assuring that it does not support terrorist groups nor allow foreign bases on its territory. The move comes after a two-week deadline until Cuba’s electrical system collapses due to a lack of oil on the island.

⚖️ 🇺🇸 👨‍⚖️ Clintons agree to testify in House Epstein investigation, aide says

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton have agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee for its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, President Clinton's deputy chief of staff said Monday on X.

"They negotiated in good faith. You did not," Angel Urena said in a post on X. "They told you under oath what they know, but you don’t care. But the former President and former Secretary of State will be there. They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone."

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/clintons-agree-testify-house-epstein-investigation-aide-says-2026-02-02/

📎 Reuters