• About Us
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
TFI Official Merchandise
TFI English
TFI हिन्दी
Monday, May 29, 2023
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
Right Arm. Round the World. FAST.
No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
No Result
View All Result

Sahel’s new geopolitical upheaval: US-Niger-Israel to join hands?

Michael Mahanta by Michael Mahanta
April 21, 2023
in Africa, Geopolitics
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
US-Niger-Israel ties
119
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

US-Niger-Israel ties: There was a time when Niger’s President, Mohamed Bazoum, made some comments that must have shocked the West. On July 9, 2021, Bazoum stated in an interview with the French daily La Croix that Mali’s isolation was undermining the fight against terrorism and that Mali’s withdrawal from the G5 Sahel would mark the end of the alliance. He also said that the G5 had failed in its purpose of wiping out terrorism from the region.

Coming from a country that was believed to be on the side of the West, Bazoum’s comments almost hinted that he was going anti-West, as such sentiments were already on the rise in the Sahel region. There were large-scale protests against the French troops stationed in the country, and France has already withdrawn its troops from Mali and more recently Burkina Faso. However, since then, the US has been trying hard to please Niger and stop it from slipping out of its sphere of influence. Now, it looks like it has almost succeeded and is eyeing to get Niger on board to join hands (US-Niger-Israel ties) with Israel to strengthen its position and geopolitical relevance in the Sahel region.

Also Read

Away from the Ukrainian cacophony NATO is playing a dangerous game in Lebanon

The Final Countdown: The Strait of Hormuz and the Upcoming NATO-Middle East War

US-Niger-Israel ties : US eyes Niger 

According to a recent report, the US is pressuring Niger to normalize relations with Israel. During his trip to Africa in March, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum to move toward normalizing relations with Israel, according to Axios. The two countries officially severed ties in 2002 over Israeli military action in the Palestinian territories. Multiple unnamed Israeli officials said that Niger’s leadership is open to warming ties with Israel, but they hope for deliverables in return from Washington. Blinken also briefed Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on the discussions and proposed inviting Niger to the next Negev Forum, an annual event involving the US, Israel, and Arab states such as Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco.

(Source: The Africa Report)

Blinken’s trip to Niger made him the first US Secretary of State to visit the West African country, which is emerging as a key US security partner in the Sahel, a region swept by anti-West sentiments of late. The US has invested heavily in Niger’s strategic and military interests. Washington invested $110 million to construct a massive drone base in the country in 2016 and has continued to provide large sums of security and humanitarian aid. US troops have operated in Niger intermittently throughout the War on Terror and were deployed there under a broad ‘status of forces’ deal in 2013.

(Source: Al Jazeera)

During his visit, Blinken announced a $150 million aid package for Sahel nations, including Niger, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso, bringing total US assistance to the region to $233 million in 2023. All of these efforts highlight the importance of the US staying relevant in the Sahel region and reversing the trend of growing anti-West sentiments in the strategically important area. By securing its interests in Niger and potentially forming a US-Niger-Israel ties , the US could have significant geopolitical implications for the Sahel region.

Read More: France’s nuclear attack on Niger

US-Israel-Niger ties vs Algeria-Iran axis in Sahel?

We previously explained that the EU and the US are increasingly concerned about the close relationship between Algeria, Iran, and Russia. There are reports suggesting that the Algerian regime is receiving drones from Iran, which are being supplied directly to the armed militias of the Polisario front.

US-Niger-Israel ties  (Source: United Nations Development Programme)

Moreover, Iran is likely to be promoting the most radical branch of Islam in the Sahel and Sahara, with the support of the Algerian military system. If the Iran-Algeria partnership succeeds, it could have significant implications for the Sahel region, which is considered the gateway to the wider continent. This is a major concern for the West.

Read More: Algeria’s unlikely ally: how will their partnership shape the future of the Sahel

In recent years, Israel has normalized relations with several Arab or Muslim-majority states under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, including Sudan and Morocco. Israel has also strengthened its ties with Chad in Africa, seeking a greater presence in the continent.

Given this context, it is possible that the US, by pressuring Niger to normalize relations with Israel, may try to counter the Algeria-Iran threat in the Sahel region more effectively. This move would provide the US with greater opportunities to solidify its geopolitical presence in the Sahel. Israel and Niger had cut ties in 1973, and contacts were again cut in 2002 after renewed Israeli fighting with the Palestinians. However, in the wake of the 1996 Oslo Accords, ties had warmed between the two countries.

(Source: TRT Haber)

Additionally, countries like Morocco, Israel, and the US are also signatories to the Abraham Accords, and they all face a shared threat from Iran. In the case of Morocco, the threat is more indirect, as the Iranians from Algeria are involved in promoting the Polisario Front and working against Moroccan interests. It is possible that the Biden administration is working behind the scenes to include more Arab and Muslim-majority countries in the Abraham Accords.

Read More: Iran, Russia, Israel, UAE, US and the anti-government Polisario movement

Thus, if the US succeeds and Niger and Israel indeed normalize ties, it will likely enhance the US’ stature in the Sahel region in the face of the Algeria-Iran threat. It will also be an opportunity for Israel to expand its footprint in the Sahel. However, how the situation will unfold in the near future remains to be seen, but it is clear that it could create a major geopolitical upheaval in the Sahel region.

Tags: AlgeriaIranIsraelmoroccoNigerSahelUS-Niger-Israel tiesUSA
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

There are only two possibilities for 2023 Alberta general elections-  Danielle wins or Alberta secedes

Next Post

Diplomatic Bluebook 2023: Japan takes aim at Biden’s weak spot

Also Read

Yandex

Yandex: Russia acquires a search engine major

May 24, 2023
A strange marriage: Volodymyr Zelensky and Yevgeny Prigozhin

A strange marriage: Volodymyr Zelensky and Yevgeny Prigozhin

May 18, 2023
Belarusian strongman Lukashenko is possibly dead but no one will admit it

Belarusian strongman Lukashenko is possibly dead but no one will admit it

May 15, 2023
Italy energy

As EU continues to detest Russia, Italy flips the script with a pro-Russia appointment

May 9, 2023
Load More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms of use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Bakhmut

The Bakhmut story that the global media doesn’t want you to know

May 24, 2023
“Nobody is safe here” Ukrainian oligarchs unmasked dictator Zelensky

“Nobody is safe here” Ukrainian oligarchs unmasked dictator Zelensky

May 23, 2023
Did Ukraine use innocent civilians as human shield against Russia in the name of evacuation?

Did Ukraine use innocent civilians as human shield against Russia in the name of evacuation?

May 9, 2022
Balkans

Russia’s Strategic Move: Driving the Balkan Stake through Europe’s Heart

May 25, 2023
2024 US presidential elections

Zelensky and Boris Johnson predict 2024 US presidential elections. And it makes sense!

May 23, 2023
So France is finally getting a French army if not an EU army

So France is finally getting a French army if not an EU army

May 26, 2023
In the next one and a half years Hungary is going to reset the EU

In the next one and a half years Hungary is going to reset the EU

May 26, 2023
Pierre Poilievre Jagmeet Singh

Pierre Poilievre is masterfully using Jagmeet to corner Justin Trudeau

May 26, 2023
Well if Debt to GDP ratio is the only parameter why single out Finland?

Well if Debt to GDP ratio is the only parameter why single out Finland?

May 26, 2023
Away from the Ukrainian cacophony NATO is playing a dangerous game in Lebanon

Away from the Ukrainian cacophony NATO is playing a dangerous game in Lebanon

May 26, 2023
Youtube Twitter Facebook
TFIGlobal
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy

©2023 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean

©2023 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Follow us on Twitter

and never miss an insightful take by the TFIGlobal team

Follow @tfiglobal
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. View our Privacy and Cookie Policy.