Jean-Loup Samaan

Governments across the Sahel are struggling to counter the spread of terror groups

France's troop withdrawal is unlikely to solve regional issues such as terrorist attacks and military rulers clinging to power

The crisis is a symptom of a much larger problem affecting the Sahel

President Mohamed Bazoum has been a major partner of western countries in the regional fight against extremism

Defence spending will not be immune to the current climate of partisan politics in Paris

The West African nation has shown stability in an unstable part of the world, but long-term pressures remain

Counterterrorism in the Sahel is still on Paris's agenda, but it needs new ways to pull it off

After years of peace, Hezbollah seems to be stoking the fire - at Iran's behest

West Africa will regain global attention if ISIS finds a way to recreate a proto-state in the region

Operation Barkhane is drawing to a close, even as violence in the region escalates

The latest version of Paris's military strategy accounts for a less co-operative global order

The Western military alliance has never cast Beijing in such a stark light before

Paris will find it challenging to continue supporting the Malian army's counterrorism efforts while trying to nudge the junta to hand back power to the civilians

Buffeted by internal divisions and pressure from Washington, the Atlantic alliance's Middle Eastern objectives look uncertain

Abu Dhabi is mindful that its contribution is not just through security measures but also long-term development