Wagner Group, the mercenaries who would overthrow Putin, are still considered to be a threat in the region. More importantly, Middle East in not that far from Niger if you fly straight…
Today, on October 27th, the Senate decisively rejected a bill, with a vote of 86-11, that would have mandated the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Niger, a West African country where a military coup took place in July. Earlier this month, the United States officially recognized the coup in Niger, leading to the suspension of assistance. However, there are no immediate plans to alter the U.S. military presence in the nation. Niger has been a crucial partner in the United States’ efforts to combat Islamist insurgents responsible for the deaths of thousands and the displacement of millions across Africa. Approximately 1,000 Department of Defense personnel are stationed in Niger.
Republican Rand Paul was the main Senator in favor of the legislation, contending that the troops were deployed without proper congressional approval, and emphasized the need to protect Americans from becoming involved in Niger’s conflict. Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee since Bob Menendez “resigned”, argued that a U.S. withdrawal could create a vacuum that Russia or its Wagner mercenaries might fill. France has already pulled troops from the country.
In the past decade, U.S. troops have trained Nigerien forces in counterterrorism and maintained two military bases, including one conducting drone operations against Islamic State and Al Qaeda affiliates in the region.
