Source link : https://www.mondialnews.com/2026/04/26/mali-turns-into-russias-new-afghanistan-the-high-price-europe-faces/
As conflict and instability deepen in Mali, the West African nation is increasingly seen as Russia’s new battleground-echoing the protracted difficulties once faced by Moscow in Afghanistan. While Russia extends its military and political influence in the Sahel, the consequences of this engagement are poised to reverberate far beyond the region, with Europe bearing a substantial share of the fallout. Moving beyond ideological posturing, this article examines the complex dynamics at play in Mali, the strategic calculations driving Russia’s involvement, and the geopolitical and humanitarian costs that European countries may soon have to confront.
Mali as Russia’s Strategic Stalemate Exploring the Parallels to Afghanistan’s Quagmire
The unfolding crisis in Mali reveals striking similarities to Russia’s prolonged entanglement in Afghanistan, highlighting a strategic dead-end rather than a clear victory. Despite Moscow’s confident rhetoric and military investments, the realities on the ground underscore the challenges of asymmetric warfare in unfamiliar terrain against resilient insurgent factions. Much like Afghanistan, Mali’s regional complexities – including ethnic tensions, porous borders, and decentralized militant networks – expose the limitations of foreign intervention. The involvement of Russian private military contractors, akin to the use of irregular forces in past conflicts, complicates accountability and stretches Moscow’s military resources…
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Author : Atticus Reed
Publish date : 2026-04-26 02:53:00
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