Trump Should Make A Witty Decision On Mali

We’re starting with major developments out of West Africa. According to U.S. media reports, the Trump administration is actively weighing direct military action in Mali against the al-Qaeda-linked group JNIM, following a deadly attack that killed over 50 Malian soldiers this month . If approved, it would mark the eighth nation targeted by U.S. strikes under the current administration.But the move is sparking intense internal debate. While a top counterterrorism official is pushing for action, others are wary of the risks—including potential friction with Russian military forces on the ground .So, is this solely about counterterrorism, or is a larger geopolitical chess match unfolding in the Sahel? We’ll break down the administration's calculations and the real possibility of collaboration with local forces in today's deep dive.