Key Takeaway: Russian Africa Corps soldiers deployed to Niger on April 12, which will challenge US efforts to remain in Niger in the immediate term—undermining the West’s counterterrorism posture in West and North Africa—and create long-term opportunities for the Kremlin to create conventional and irregular threats that strategically pressure Europe. …

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday in Beijing. Chinese analysts said the meeting sends a strong signal that China will firmly develop its strategic partnership with Russia, despite pressure from the West. The China-Russia partnership continues to be key for the global strategic …

Baghdad weaning off depending on Iranian electricity, senior State Department official tells Al Arabiya English A senior US State Department official said Thursday that “just about everybody” in Iraq realizes the importance of having strong ties with Washington ahead of a scheduled visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. …