Republicans criticise Trump's plan to withdraw troops

Summary

GLOBAL NEWS PODCAST – BBC WORLD SERVICE
Episode: Republicans Criticise Trump’s Plan to Withdraw Troops
Date: May 3, 2026
Host: Charlotte Gallagher

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Episode Overview

This edition focuses on the controversy and global implications surrounding President Donald Trump’s plan to withdraw US troops from Germany. The episode also examines rising tensions related to pro-Palestinian marches in the UK, the precarious Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, the resilience of Afghan women footballers, Russian soldier desertions to Armenia, recent Al Qaeda-linked violence in Mali, and the legacy of Alex Zanardi following his death.

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Key Topics and Detailed Breakdown

1. US Troop Withdrawal from Germany: Republican & International Concerns

[01:29–08:35]

• Trump’s Announcement: President Trump aims to cut US troop numbers in Germany by more than 5,000, possibly reducing further, providing no specific details.

  • “The president said the number of soldiers will be cut way down—a lot further than the 5,000 initially announced. He gave no further details.” (Charlotte Gallagher, 02:31)

• Republican Criticism:

  • Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker and House counterpart Mike Rogers issue a statement expressing deep concern about the move, warning it sends a message of weakness to Russia.
  • “They say it’s sending the wrong signal to Vladimir Putin… acknowledging that Germany, they say, has provided what they call seamless access… in support of Operation Epic, the war in Iran.” (Peter Bowes, 04:00)

• Checks and Balances Lacking:

  • Retired Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute critiques senior Republicans, stating their opposition has, so far, been words without concrete action.
    • “Senior Republicans have talked a good game… but frankly they haven’t acted to actually push back… providing checks and balances.” (Lute, 03:07)
  • Calls for Congress to restrict funding to halt any troop withdrawals.

• NATO & European Reactions:

  • NATO seeks clarification; concern over NATO unity and the deterrent effect in Europe.
  • Michael Galler (European Parliament, CDU) stresses it pleases Putin and underscores the need for Europe to increase its own defense investments.
    • “The major political impact… is that Mr. Putin is happy in Moscow because he sees there is a rift in NATO.” (Galler, 06:55)
    • “We Europeans are getting our acts together and doing far more for our own defense.” (Galler, 08:19)

Memorable Quote

“It's definitely not in the US interest… Mr. Putin is happy in Moscow because he sees there is a rift in NATO.”
— Michael Galler, 06:55

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2. UK: Debate Over Banning Pro-Palestinian Marches

[08:35–10:58]

• Background: Following the stabbing of two Jewish men in London, the government considers restrictions or bans on some pro-Palestinian protests.

• Legal Hurdles: Former Met Police Chief Superintendent Dal Babu notes banning marches is extremely rare.

  • “There’s only been two marches that have been banned in the last 40 years.” (Dal Babu, 09:07)

• Political Responses:

  • PM Keir Starmer hints at supporting stricter measures, including tougher policing of protest speech.
  • Opposition from Greens and Liberal Democrats; some Conservatives support a ban.

• Debate Over Slogans:

  • “Anyone saying ‘globalise the intifada’… are trying to let people know there is support for harming Jews.” (Karine Dufka, 10:45)

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3. Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Tensions

[11:13–13:52]

• Ceasefire Status:

  • The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire is fragile, with ongoing low-intensity conflict.
    • “It is a ceasefire in name only… Israel continues to attack southern Lebanon.” (Wira Davis, 11:46)

• Challenges Ahead:

  • Negotiations unlikely until Israel withdraws troops; multiple Lebanese factions complicate talks.
  • “The feeling here for now is that this very fragile ceasefire… could break at any moment.” (Wira Davis, 13:43)

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4. Afghan Women’s Football: New Hope After FIFA Ruling

[13:52–16:57]

• FIFA Decision: Allows Afghan women to compete internationally without Taliban approval.

  • “It means we can still hope we can play in international tournaments.” (Fatima Hadari, 14:28)
  • Described as “the most beautiful news of my life.” (Manouche Noori, 14:48)

• Personal Stories:

  • Both captain and forward now live and play abroad. They express deep responsibility for women in Afghanistan and cite the ruling as a step toward the LA Olympics.

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5. Russian Soldier Desertion: Insights from Armenia

[19:07–23:16]

• Aftermath of Ukraine Invasion: Tens of thousands of Russians, including army deserters, have fled to Armenia.
• Testimony from Deserting Soldier (‘Mikhail’):
  • Joined for financial reasons, not ideology: “I was 18 years old… I needed money. My mother needed surgery.” (Mikhail, 21:29)
  • Disillusionment and regret: “Absolutely everyone [regrets it]… ready to work any job… just so they don’t have to stay there.” (Mikhail, 22:38)
  • Yerevan (Armenia) viewed as safer than Russia: “They won’t deport me from here and that’s enough for me.” (Mikhail, 23:09)

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6. Mali Security Crisis: Jihadist and Tuareg Attacks

[23:16–28:00]

• Events:

  • Coordinated attacks by Tuareg separatists and Al Qaeda-linked JNIM. Defense minister killed, roads to Bamako blocked.

• Analysis (Karine Dufka):

  • Describes the events as “dramatic, unprecedented”, exposing major weaknesses in both Malian and international (now Russian) security forces.
  • Jihadists shifting from “terrorist label” to attempts at politics/governance, aiming to force government to negotiate instead of outright conquest.
    • “The strategy… is to push the government to make concessions.” (Dufka, 27:08)

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7. Tribute to Alex Zanardi

[28:00–30:21]

• Life and Legacy: Former F1 and IndyCar driver, Paralympic cycling champion, passes away at 59.
• Notable Quotes:
  • On surviving his accident:

    “To have lost my legs at that moment was really the last of my problems because I was so happy to be alive.” — Alex Zanardi, 28:58

  • On overcoming disability:

    “The fact that you are certificated as disabled… does not stop you to do things… and to display your talent if you think you have some.” — Zanardi, 30:08

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute (Republican checks and balances):
  “They haven’t acted to actually push back… as the Constitution would have them serve, which is as a brake on executive overreach.” (03:07)
• Michael Galler (Impact of withdrawal on Putin):
  “Mr. Putin is happy in Moscow because he sees there is a rift in NATO.” (06:55)
• Fatima Hadari (Afghan football):
  “It means a lot to us… we can still hope we can play in international tournament.” (14:28)
• Mikhail, Russian Deserter:
  “Absolutely everyone regrets it [signing]… ready to work any job at all, even for free, just so they don’t have to stay there.” (22:38)
• Karine Dufka (Mali crisis):
  “These dramatic, unprecedented events… laid bare [jihadist] formidable operational, logistical and recruitment capacity.” (24:47)
• Alex Zanardi, on survival and disability:
  “To have lost my legs at that moment was really the last of my problems because I was so happy to be alive.” (28:58)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• US Troop Withdrawal from Germany: 01:29–08:35
• UK Protest Ban Debate: 08:35–10:58
• Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire: 11:13–13:52
• Afghan Women’s Football: 13:52–16:57
• Russian Deserters in Armenia: 19:07–23:16
• Mali Security Situation: 23:16–28:00
• Alex Zanardi Tribute: 28:00–30:21

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Overall, this episode highlights the fragility of alliances, the impact of political decisions on international & domestic security, and inspiring stories of resilience — both personal and collective — around the globe.

Transcript

[Peter Bowes]

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[Charlotte Gallagher]

This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Charlotte Gallagher and in the early hours of Sunday 3rd May, these are our main stories. Senior US Republicans and German politicians express concern after President Trump says he will withdraw more than 5,000American troops from Germany and controversy in the UK as some pro Palestinian marches could be banned following the stabbing of two Jewish men in London. Also in this podcast, the growing influence of the Al Qaeda linked group behind the current unrest in Mali and a glimmer of hope for female Afghan footballers whose dreams of sporting careers have been hit by the Taliban.

[Fatima Hadari]

It was really big news for us, not only for Afghanistan, for all the girls. That means we can still hope we can play in international tournament.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Donald Trump has doubled down on his plan to withdraw US Troops from Germany. Despite criticism by senior figures in his own party. The president said the number of soldiers will be cut way down a lot further than the 5,000 initially announced. He gave no further details. NATO is seeking clarification from Washington, but in a statement top Republicans have warned a withdrawal sends the wrong signal to Russia's Vladimir Putin. Retired Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, thinks the Republicans should go further than just words.

[Retired Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute]

Senior Republicans have talked a good game in terms of reminding the president and their constituents that NATO is important and that they value NATO, but frankly they haven't acted to actually push back and serve as the Constitution would have them serve, which is as a break on executive overreach, providing checks and balances. And this would have to do with

[Dal Babu]

restricting funding and so forth, which will be needed if this withdrawal is actually to take place.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

The move comes amid a rift between Donald Trump and the German chancellor due to the US And Israel's war against Iran. Friedrich Merz said Tehran had humiliated Washington. The US President responded by telling him he didn't know what he was talking about. So how influential are these Republicans and their statement? I asked our North America correspondent, Peter Bowes.

[Peter Bowes]

This statement is by the Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman, Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers, his counterpart in the House of Representatives. They're both Republicans. They both control committees. And so what they say carries weight. And this is a significant rebuke of the Pentagon from two leaders from the president's own party. And just to break down what they've said, they say they are indeed very concerned about this move to take troops away from Germany. They say it's sending the wrong signal to Vladimir Putin. Presumably, they're talking about it sending a signal of weakness to Russia, acknowledging that Germany, they say, has provided what they call seamless access, basing and overflight for US Forces in support of Operation Epic, the war in Iran. They say Germany has stepped up. They say rather than withdrawing from Europe, it is in America's interest to maintain a strong deterrent on the continent by moving troops to the East.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

So there's concern, but I guess the crucial question is, will President Trump and the defense secretary, Pete Hagseth, listen?

[Peter Bowes]

And that is an obvious concern, and it's what they're thinking because it's highlighted in their statement in which they point out that any significant change to the US Force posture in Europe, or warrants, as they put it, a deliberate review of process and close coordination with Congress and our allies. So, not for the first time, this is an appeal to the White House and the Pentagon, in this case, to engage principally with the oversight committees in Congress. And they say in the weeks ahead, especially looking at the implications for US Deterrence and transatlantic security, it's important that that dialogue occurs.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

The relationship between Europe and the US Is pretty testy at the moment. And is there a fear that it's only going to get worse?

[Peter Bowes]

We need to see what happens next and what the next move is as far as the United states is with U.S. troops overseas. And I think we'll be looking to other countries, namely Spain, which Mr. Trump has strongly criticized over the war in Iran and its attitude, its perceived lack of support and Italy. And if the US announces further troop reductions for those countries or elsewhere, which the President hasn't ruled out, then I think this rift will very much be seen as getting worse and surely with broader consequences for NATO and the alliance

[Charlotte Gallagher]

that was Peter Bowes. American troops have maintained a continuous presence in Germany since the end of the Second world war in 1945. The country is still the main hub for American military presence in Europe. So if the Pentagon does go ahead with the move, what will that mean for global security? Michael Galler is a member of the European Parliament for Chancellor Mertz's conservative CDU party.

[Michael Galler]

I think it's definitely not in the US interest, but the major political impact, I would rather say is that Mr. Putin is happy in Moscow because he sees there is a rift in NATO. There is a reduction, physical reduction, of NATO's defense posture in Europe, and that is something that will definitely please him. On the substance now, the technicalities, I would definitely say the Americans will definitely not abandon their main air bases like Ramstein and others. They will not abandon their largest military hospital abroad in Landstuhl, where, by the way, soldiers from the Middle east are now treated. They will not abandon their headquarters for Europe and Africa and the in Satu support for Ukraine. That is all based in Wiesbaden. So these structures will stay. And when you go from 39,000 to 34,000, there's still a substantial presence there. But still, and I agree when everybody says we ought to do and ought to have done it earlier, have more investment in our own defense, this is another signal, let's upgrade our efforts. And I think it also promotes, hopefully, the inner US debate. I think also such reaction now is also directed, partly at least, to the domestic audience. Look, we are doing more for us. We are not defending them, but it's also in their interest to have a presence in Europe. Putin is happy that we are at loggerheads with each other, but we will overcome this period. And in the meanwhile, we Europeans are getting our acts together and doing far more for our own defense.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

That was Michael Gala. Here in the uk, the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has suggested there may be a case for banning some protests following calls for a suspension of pro Palestinian marches. His comments follow the stabbing of two Jewish men in North London. Some parties argue the organisers of pro Palestinian marches encourage anti Semitism, something the organisers deny. Former Met Police Chief Superintendent Dal Babu says it's very rare to ban marches in the uk.

[Dal Babu]

It's a high bar to ban marches. There's only been Two marches that have been banned in the last 40 years. One was a far right march and one was more recently the Al Quds march, a pro Palestinian march. Any attempted ban would be challenged in the court. It's very much an operational decision. The police need to show serious public order if they are going to be able to ban Ahmad Keir.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Starmer's comments come as he's facing big questions over his leadership ahead of local elections. Our political correspondent Harry Farley is following developments.

[Harry Farley]

In the next few weeks, the Government will publish a review of the powers to control or prohibit demonstrations. It's a complex balance between public order and the freedom of speech and assembly. The Prime Minister was asked if he wanted tougher policing of language used during marches or to stop some protests altogether.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Certainly the first, and I think the

[Retired Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute]

instance is for the latter.

[Peter Bowes]

I do think I don't want to get involved in operational policing, but I

[Dal Babu]

think when you see, when you hear

[Charlotte Gallagher]

some of those chants, globalise the intifada

[Dal Babu]

would be the one that I would

[Alex Zanardi (voice clip)]

pick out, then clearly there should be

[Dal Babu]

tougher action in relation to that.

[Harry Farley]

Sources stress the Prime Minister is not preempting the outcome of that review, but it is his strongest indication yet that he would be open to tougher laws around protests that is likely to be controversial. The Greens Zach Polanski said it would be the worst response to the attacks in Golda's green and would just produce more division. The Liberal Democrats said protests must not be hijacked by anti Semitic abuse. But Reform UK said the Prime Minister's words were too late. And the Conservatives Kemi Badenoch said she would support banning the marches.

[Karine Dufka]

Anyone saying globalise the intifada or chanting from the river to the sea knows exactly what they're doing. They are trying to let people know that there is support for harming Jews.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

We need to make sure that that is stopped completely.

[Harry Farley]

For the Prime Minister, there's dangers at home and abroad. With the Iran war threatening to send inflation soaring, his pitch to voters and to those in his party questioning his future is this is no time for more instability.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Harry Farley. The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is now in its third week, but it's regarded as shaky at best with Israeli forces and Hezboll Hezbollah still fighting just at a lower intensity. Israel says it hit dozens of Hezbollah targets, including a religious building on Saturday. Hezbollah, the Iran backed group in Lebanon, says it launched several attacks against Israeli troops, saying they were in response to ceasefire violations. Our correspondent Wira Davis is monitoring events from Jerusalem.

[Retired Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute]

It is a Ceasefire in name only. Even though much of the heavy Israeli bombing we saw towards the end of the recent conflict that hit, like Beirut, tir other parts of southern Lebanon, that has effectively stopped. Israel continues to attack southern Lebanon. Reports from the end of the week, just gone, say that 30 people have been killed in Israeli bombing, including many civilians, women and children. Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah positions from where Hezbollah is firing rockets. Israel has declared a buffer zone, an exclusion zone, so called Yellow Line, which is roughly 10 kilometers or 6 miles inside Lebanon. But some of the evacuation orders that Israel has been issuing have included towns and villages well outside this exclusion area, and people in these areas have been reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes. Now, Israel says the ceasefire is holding, but it reserves the right to attack Hezbollah positions to stop them. Of course, firing towards Israel amid all of this is what should happen next. There are some elements in Lebanon, including the president, Joseph Aoun, who are said to be in favor of some sort of dialogue and negotiations with Israel. We've seen that messaging from the Americans. They want the Israelis and the Lebanese to get around the table and talk, but it's much more complicated than sitting down and talking. Of course, there are several factions within Lebanese society who support Hezbol and its position. One of their main demands before they would talk is that Israeli troops should leave southern Lebanon, where they've been for several weeks now. But Israel is not about to do that while it still sees many of these towns and villages in the south as potential places from where Hezbollah could target Israel. So the feeling here for now is that this very fragile ceasefire, if you can call it that, is holding, but it is fragile and it could break at any moment.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Wira Davis Women and girls in Afghanistan have been subjected to wide ranging limits on their freedom since the Taliban government seized power almost five years ago. But this week, FIFA, World Football's governing body, approved a rule change that would allow them to compete in international matches without Taliban approval. Many of the players are now living in other countries. The captain of Afghan Women United, Fatima Hadari, is based in Italy. And the team's forward, Manouche Noori, lives in Australia. James Kumasamy asked them about the importance of FIFA's decision.

[Fatima Hadari]

It was really big news for us, not only for Afghanistan, for all the girls, especially back home and girls in all the world. It means a lot to us. It means we can still hope we can play in international tournament, which is great for us.

[James Kumarasamy]

Fatima, how would you describe this decision?

[Manouche Noori]

Yeah, it was the most beautiful news of my life. I've Seen reactions from different parts of world and it was really, really great for us.

[James Kumarasamy]

You talk about around the world. Your entire team of course, are around the world. What has it been like since you left the country in terms of playing the game that you love and representing your country?

[Manouche Noori]

Fatima, I left Afghanistan because I wanted to be free as a woman, as a girl. And when I got here in Italy, in Florence, I started playing football again with another team. But a hope for playing for Afghanistan, we thought that it is not existent. So we tried our best, like all of us, with the help of Khalida and with the help of FIFA. But yeah, it happened.

[James Kumarasamy]

Fatima, as a captain there's already responsibility. But you feel this extra responsibility for those who are still in the country.

[Manouche Noori]

Yes, of course. I feel they gained the weight of history on my shoulders. So yeah, I feel really responsible for all those girls and women and I really hope I can do something for him.

[James Kumarasamy]

And you've also spoken, I think Fatima, about the boys as well in Afghanistan. I mean there are boys who are growing up in this country where women are essentially being erased.

[Manouche Noori]

Yeah, I mean from the family that I come, they're all open minded and I mean, I mean despite Afghanistan is a little bit patriarchal, I could say and they, they suffered a lot in all these years that I, I've been growing up. I, I felt like they are also having this weight of history. So I, I think even boys and men are happy at this moment.

[James Kumarasamy]

For this news, Manouch, maybe I can turn to the football and this ruling comes too late for you to take part in the next World cup, but it does mean you can take part in the LA Olympics, doesn't it? Is that what you are aiming towards?

[Fatima Hadari]

Definitely. All the girls from Afghanistan team, we have big dream, we have a big goal. So it's just opening the door for us to go forward. So we are just looking forward to that. We practicing how to go to that stage one day soon.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Hopefully that was Fatima Hadari and Manouche Noori. Still to come in this podcast.

[Alex Zanardi (voice clip)]

The feeling which would emerge way above all the others was just joy. I mean, to have lost my legs at that moment was really the last of my problems because I was so happy to be alive.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

We look back at the life of Alex Zanardi, the Italian Formula one driver and Paralympic gold medalist who's died.

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[Charlotte Gallagher]

This is the global News Podcast. More than four years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, tens of thousands of Russian soldiers are believed to have deserted from the front lines. A popular destination for those fleeing is Armenia, which doesn't border Russia or Ukraine, but lets Russians in without a visa and has looser requirements on passports. James Beardsworth met one former soldier who'd fled the fighting.

[James Beardsworth]

I'm wandering through a park just on the outskirts of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. In the past four years, ever since Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine, this city has become home to tens of thousands of Russians. Some more footloose and not willing to work under sanctions, others fleeing political persecution, while others literally are fleeing the war. According to rights groups, there's hundreds if not thousands of Russian deserters who have made home in Yerevan and I'm here to talk to one 20 year old Mikhail. When did you arrive in Yerevan?

[Mikhail (Russian deserter)]

I arrived here almost a month and a half ago. I served there one and a half years. I was given a two weeks holiday and I decided to desert. I left Russia as I'm now facing criminal charges there.

[James Beardsworth]

Tell me, what did you see on the front lines?

[Mikhail (Russian deserter)]

I saw two people die. I was Also wounded twice. And then I worked at headquarters.

[James Beardsworth]

We're now walking up the steps to a large sports complex. To our left we can see Mount Ararat still covered in snow. So why don't we have a sit down on this bench here and we can have a chat. Russian soldiers are accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine. Were you aware of that before you sign the contract?

[Mikhail (Russian deserter)]

Before I sign the contract, I knew nothing about the war and I wasn't even interested in it at all. Propaganda appeared. I just saw that they give you a lot of money if you sign up.

[James Beardsworth]

And why did you decide to sign a contract?

[Mikhail (Russian deserter)]

I was 18 years old at the time and I needed money. My mother needed surgery. I worked a shift job for a little less than six months and I couldn't raise the large amount I needed. In the end I decided to sign a year long contract.

[James Beardsworth]

On the front lines, do Russian soldiers believe that they're fighting for the right thing?

[Mikhail (Russian deserter)]

The people there are there just for the money and don't care about much else. You can sign a contract in the army up to 65 years old. A lot of the people there, they cannot even walk normally but sign contracts because of money. There is not people there behind the idea of war who share these higher values of it all.

[James Beardsworth]

What was your role in the army?

[Mikhail (Russian deserter)]

I was at an air surveillance post in the machine gun crew and we shot down drones. Then after I received my injuries, after hospital, I went into the communications.

[James Beardsworth]

Do you regret signing the contract and going to the war?

[Mikhail (Russian deserter)]

Absolutely. Everyone there regrets signing a contract. We had a funny joke with each other where you would ask each other, oh, are you glad you signed a contract? Everyone of course, jokingly said yes, but no, everyone regrets it. Absolutely everyone. Everyone who is there, they're ready to work any job at all, even for free, just so they don't have to stay there.

[James Beardsworth]

What do you think of Yerevan? Do you think it's a safe place for people like you?

[Mikhail (Russian deserter)]

I feel safer here than I felt in Russia. They won't deport me from here and that's enough for me.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

That was James Beardsworth. A military court in Mali says several soldiers have been arrested in connection with the coordinated attacks by Tuareg separatists and a local Al Qaeda affiliate, Ginim, which have rocked the West African country. The Malian defense minister was killed in last Saturday's initial assault. The militants have since blocked off several routes into the capital, Bamako, posing a huge challenge to the military junta which came to power after the 2021 coup and the Russian Forces which have been giving them support. On Friday, rebel forces reportedly captured a military installation in the north of the country. American businessman Jeff Dorsey has lived in Bamako since 2009.

[Dal Babu]

People are limiting their travel. There are six main access roads to Bamako. Three of the six roads had been blocked. This is already having some kind of an impact in terms of the local market. It's not a full siege yet. And I don't think the coalition of JNIM and the Tuareg rebels is enough to really threaten the entirety of Bamako. So I think personally I'm pretty much okay. If they start, start kidnapping random foreigners at that point, then I'd start being very worried for my. For myself.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

Karine Dufka is an analyst on the Sahel region. So how does she view what's currently unfolding in Mali? She spoke to my colleague, James Kumarasamy.

[Karine Dufka]

These dramatic, unprecedented events in Mali of the last week are important for a few reasons. First, it laid bare the Al Qaeda affiliate J? Nim, or support for Islam and Muslims. It laid bare their formidable operational, logistical and recruitment capacity and the extent really to which over the last decade they have taken root in Mali's vast rural areas as well as the center, the north and the southwest, to the point where they can now. And they have now hit at the very center and part of power in

[James Kumarasamy]

Bamako and this alliance they have with the Tuareg separatists. What do you make of that?

[Karine Dufka]

Well, what's really important to understand is that this is an Al Qaeda affiliate led operation. There is a symbiotic relationship between this Al Qaeda affiliate and the Tuareg. But the ones who are really leading the show are the Al Qaeda affiliate.

[James Kumarasamy]

And does that mean it is a far more threatening turn of events for the military leadership?

[Karine Dufka]

Well, the military has never been disheartened as they are out now. And I think one of the other important dynamics is that the events of the last week have illuminated the weaknesses, both intelligence and operational, of not only the Malians, but also their international partners, which are now the Russian and to a lesser extent the Turks, who have now sort of or are joining the, you know, the long list of international partners who have failed to help Mali route the jihadists.

[James Kumarasamy]

Yes, I mean, they replaced the French, essentially, didn't they? And they what, they are now finding the same challenges that the French had.

[Karine Dufka]

Yes, they have. I mean, there has been an almost inverse relationship between all of these international efforts to route the jihadists and the extent to which the jihadists have taken root in Mali. That red line, the no go area, has gone from the north to the center, to the south, and now of course, is threatening some of the countries

[James Kumarasamy]

that surround Mali, inside Mali itself. The fact that they were able to kill a defence minister and to at the moment, as we understand it, block quite a few of the routes into the capital, Bamako, how precarious would you say things are?

[Karine Dufka]

Well, the situation is precarious indeed. Mali has never faced this kind of challenge. But I think it's really important to understand who the jihadists are now. Years ago, they were primarily Algerian. They engaged in soft targeting. But at present they are trying to distance themselves from Arcata, drop the terrorist label. And the people I speak with who are in areas controlled by them say they speak a lot more these days about politics and governing than they do about global jihad. So I think the strategy here of the jihadists is to push the government to make concessions. And that would mean to push them

[James Kumarasamy]

to the negotiating table talks rather than overthrowing.

[Karine Dufka]

I believe that they recognize they cannot take a town like Bamako, especially because they are now spreading themselves thinly. They've taken the northern town of Kidal, a few other towns in the north, and are moving in to take some towns in the center. But it's important to understand that the jihadists are already governing in large swaths of Mali. The Tuaregs have primarily taken Kidal in the north, and the jihadists are looking to take towns in the center, which would put them at a stronger position to be able to push the government to make concessions.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

That was Karine Dufke. Finally, the Paralympic gold medalist Alex Zanardi has died at the age of 59. Once a Formula One driver, the Italian racer is known for refusing to end his sporting career and turning to para cycling after losing both his legs in a high speed crash. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the country had lost an extraordinary man. Our sports reporter Joe Lynskey looks back at his life.

[Joe Lynskey]

Alex Zanardi went through the greatest separation back and yet took it in his stride. At two straight Paralympics, he became a cycling champion. It wasn't the sport he'd set out to conquer.

[James Kumarasamy]

And out of the race goes Alessandro Zanardi.

[Joe Lynskey]

In 1991, he broke through in F1, eventually moving to the US to compete in IndyCar racing. In the late 90s, he won back to back titles. But in 2001, everything changed.

[Alex Zanardi (voice clip)]

When I was told from my wife what had happened, the feeling which would emerge way above all the others was just joy. I mean, to have lost my legs at that moment was really the last of my problems because I was so happy to be alive.

[Joe Lynskey]

The crash led to the amputation of both of his legs, but he just looked for the next challenge. At London 2012, he took to the road race on the same Brands Hatch track he'd driven on before. He won two gold medals and did the same four years later. Today, the IPC said Alex was a pioneer, icon and legend of the Paralympic movement. His performances were truly out of this world, engaged new fans and showed the world anything was possible. Zanardi found room for even more talents, racing the Ironman in a world record time for a disabled athlete. He even returned to the racetrack in a specially adapted car. In 2020, Alex Zanardi was struck by a vehicle during a paracycling relay. He was seriously injured and not seen again in public. In Italy. His nation rallied behind him. It was the mark of a man who kept on inspiring.

[Alex Zanardi (voice clip)]

The fact that you are certificated as disabled because you've lost something does not stop you to do things things in an alternative way and to display your talent if you think you have some.

[Charlotte Gallagher]

That was Jo Linsky reporting and that's all from us for now. If you want to get in touch, you can email [e-mail]. you can also find us on X@BBC World Service. Use the hashtag globalnewspod. Don't forget our sister podcast, the Global Story. This edition of the Global Global News Podcast was mixed by Martin Baker and the producer was Marion Strawn. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Charlotte Gallagher. Until next time. Goodbye.

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