U.S. agrees to withdraw troops from Niger

In what is seen as a blow to the Biden administration and the strategic goals of the U.S. in West Africa, all U.S. soldiers are set to leave Niger, ending their role in the fight against Islamist insurgents. The move comes after talks Friday in Washington between the US deputy secretary of state, Kurt Campbell, and Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine. The US's $100m military base there was built just six years ago, and has played a key role in the US and French strategy to combat jihadists in West Africa. However, Niger's relations soured with both Western countries last year following the coup and the military leaders have sought closer security ties with Russia.