The Warcast

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Russia’s Setback in Mali

The Warcast
Nate Reynolds and Grace Parcover
May 2, 2026

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Episode Notes:

A major offensive by separatist and al-Qaeda-linked groups forced Russian-backed forces to withdraw from a key city in northern Mali, raising questions about Moscow’s role as a security provider. Nate Reynolds joins the Warcast to explain what happened, how Russia’s Africa Corps operates, and what this setback means for Russia’s influence in the Sahel and beyond.

Image: VOA Bambara via Wikimedia Commons