The Lawfare Podcast: Dispatches from the Sahel
Host: Tyler McBrien
Guests: Rachel Chasen (Washington Post Reporter), John Lechner (Author and Freelance Journalist)
Release Date: February 28, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The Lawfare Podcast, host Tyler McBrien engages in a profound discussion with Rachel Chasen of the Washington Post and author John Lechner. The focus is on the tumultuous Sahel region, exploring the intricate web of national security, law, and policy challenges that define it. The conversation delves into Rachel's new series, Crossroads of Conflict, and John's upcoming book, Death Is Our Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare.
Understanding the Sahel: Complex Dynamics and Local Agency
Rachel Chasen begins by outlining her reporting journey post the 2023 coup in Niger. She emphasizes the importance of profiling individuals to illuminate the broader forces shaping the Sahel.
“There are so many big forces at work in the Sahel when we're thinking about rising violence, declines in democracy, the decline of the West and the rise of Russia. But admittedly, it's this region that's pretty hard for a lot of Americans to get their heads around and to understand.” [04:47]
John Lechner underscores the necessity of African agency in resolving regional issues, dismissing the efficacy of foreign military interventions.
“Ultimately folks in the Sahel who will solve these issues between each other. I don't think that the American, American soldiers or French soldiers or Russian Wagner or any Russian soldiers have the answers.” [03:44]
Rachel Chasen's Crossroads of Conflict: Profiling Key Figures
Rachel's series employs individual stories to dissect the complex fabric of the Sahel. Key profiles include:
1. Ibrahim: The Islamist Militant
Ibrahim's journey from a Nigerien village to joining an Al Qaeda affiliate highlights the socio-economic factors driving militancy. Initially motivated by economic hardship and camaraderie, his path evolves into one influenced by religious ideology.
“He like race motorcycles in the desert with the other guys... he started reading, reading the Quran more and started believing in the version of Sharia law that they promoted.” [14:19]
2. Tiji: The Militia Commander
Facing overwhelmed national militaries, countries like Burkina Faso have mobilized local militias. Tiji, a former farmer, exemplifies this transformation.
“In Burkina Faso, there have been 50,000 men who weren't soldiers before, who don't have military experience, who were called up, given arms and sent to the front lines.” [10:02]
3. Ibrahim Chore: The Coup Leader
At 25, Ibrahim Chore seized power in Burkina Faso, drawing inspiration from Thomas Sankara's Pan-African vision. His tenure balances sovereignty and increasing repression.
“He feels very strongly that Burkina Faso is in the fight of its life against the jihadists. And so that was why he focused so much on raising that militia.” [14:04]
4. Nazar: The Russian Mercenary
John Lechner provides insights into the Wagner Group's evolving role post-Prigozhin's death. Nazar, a seasoned mercenary, discusses the group's operational challenges and shifting strategies in Mali.
“Wagner never had enough guys at all to prosecute an effective counterinsurgency... the Russian state was looking for different structures to replace Prigozhin's.” [15:57]
5. Mohammed: The Defiant Broadcaster
Mohammed represents the silenced voices of the Sahel's media landscape. His commitment to journalism amidst increasing repression underscores the fragile state of free speech.
“Mohammed's story really gets at how complicated all of this is... he loves his country, but he thinks it might be time to leave because he doesn't think he can do the kind of journalism he wants there.” [35:31]
6. Major Lee: The American Soldier
Major Lee embodies the dwindling U.S. military presence in the Sahel. Her profile highlights the geopolitical shifts and the local government's reassessment of foreign alliances.
“The government in Niger was the one in the end that said, you're done here... they did not feel they were being served by the United States anymore.” [41:27]
Foreign Influence and Anti-French Sentiment
The episode delves into the historical and contemporary tensions between Sahelian nations and France. Rachel Chasen recounts experiences of latent hostility towards French nationals, a lingering effect of colonialism compounded by recent military retreats.
“There was just so much latent hostility toward France... people would see anyone, I think, who was white and assume they were French.” [30:23]
John Lechner expands on this, linking historical grievances to current political maneuvers. He critiques the West's often negative portrayal of French colonialism, asserting that anti-French sentiments are manipulated by local regimes to consolidate power.
“France has played historically a very negative role on the continent... these recent military juntas... have become experts at balancing these outside forces.” [32:11]
The Wagner Group's Role in the Sahel
John Lechner provides an in-depth analysis of the Wagner Group's operations post-Prigozhin. The group's transition from direct military engagement to roles like military instruction reflects Russia's strategic recalibration in the region.
“Wagner in Mali... was also kind of initially started by Russian military officers... but after Prigozhin's death, there was a lot of disorganization.” [15:57]
Rachel Chasen discusses her exclusive interview with Nazar, shedding light on the complex motivations within the Wagner Group. The group perceives their actions as stabilizing efforts, contrasting Western stereotypes of mercenaries as purely profit-driven.
“For the guys in Wagner, they tend to confuse in the same way that we often do, kind of results and intentions.” [23:06]
Media Repression and the Struggle for Free Speech
Mohammed's experiences illustrate the dire state of journalism in the Sahel. Following the suspension of French-run broadcasters, a broader crackdown on free media ensued, stifling dissent and consolidating authoritarian control.
“Anyone who dares challenge these regimes is incredibly scared. And they have so much reason to be.” [35:31]
Rachel highlights the ethical considerations in profiling vulnerable figures like Mohammed, emphasizing the importance of giving voice to suppressed narratives while acknowledging the risks involved.
“Mohammed told me he wants his story out, and that since he's already out on this limb... the more people who know the story and understand what's happening, the better.” [38:19]
U.S. Disengagement and Its Implications
Major Lee's profile underscores a significant shift in U.S. policy towards the Sahel. The withdrawal of American forces, coupled with humanitarian aid cuts, has left a vacuum, prompting local governments to reassess their alliances.
“The government there told me they appreciated that they knew that the US had lost soldiers serving in Niger, but that ultimately they did not feel they were being served by the United States anymore.” [41:27]
Rachel Chasen reflects on the broader impact of U.S. disengagement, noting the challenges it poses to regional stability and development.
“The US was struggling before for influence... the development aid was immensely important in terms of supporting people and their lives.” [46:56]
Future Outlook: Prospects for Stability and Local Solutions
Both Rachel and John express cautious optimism about the Sahel's future. They emphasize the potential for local solutions driven by African agency, free from heavy reliance on foreign military and economic interventions.
John Lechner envisions a future where local mediations and community-driven initiatives address conflicts, moving away from external dependencies.
“I do hope that these efforts towards self-sufficiency can actually produce some positive results. It's ultimately folks in the Sahel who will solve these issues between each other.” [44:09]
Rachel Chasen highlights the vibrant and resilient communities within the Sahel, advocating for nuanced reporting and increased openness to dissent as prerequisites for genuine progress.
“There is so much an amazingly vibrant place with an amazingly resilient people... open information sharing, stuff like that.” [46:56]
Conclusion
The episode concludes with a reflection on the interconnectedness of the Sahel's political, military, and social landscapes. Rachel Chasen's Crossroads of Conflict and John Lechner's exploration of Russian mercenaries offer invaluable insights into the region's complexities. The discussion underscores the imperative of supporting local agency and fostering sustainable, homegrown solutions for lasting stability in the Sahel.
Rachel Chasen: “It's hard to be too optimistic unless these countries do start opening back up a little bit more to dissent, to open information sharing, stuff like that.” [46:56]
Additional Resources
- Rachel Chasen's Series: Crossroads of Conflict – Available in the Washington Post.
- John Lechner's Book: Death Is Our Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare – Scheduled for release on March 4th.
This summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting key discussions and insights while preserving the natural flow for those who haven't listened. Notable quotes are included with accurate attributions and timestamps for reference.