Democracy Dies in Darkness

To fight extremists, Trump administration warms to Russia-friendly junta

America has ramped up intelligence sharing with Mali’s repressive military junta, current and former U.S. officials said, as extremists gain ground in West Africa.

9 min
Mali's junta leader, Assimi Goïta, attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin in June. (Pavel Bednyakov/AFP/Getty Images)

BAMAKO, Mali — The United States has in recent months ramped up intelligence sharing with Mali’s repressive military government, according to three current and former American officials with knowledge of the situation, as Washington tries to help repel the advance of Islamist extremists in West Africa.

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