Russia’s hybrid war in Africa

Russia’s hybrid war in Africa

In recent years, military juntas have replaced democratically elected governments in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. These have expelled European forces and welcomed Russian mercenaries—yet stability in these countries remains elusive.


This week, Mark is joined by Will Brown, senior policy fellow in ECFR’s Africa programme and author of the recent policy brief “The Bear and the Bot Farm: Countering Russian Hybrid Warfare in Africa”, and Beverly Ochieng, senior analyst at global risk consultancy Control Risks. Together, they unpack Russia’s ambitions in Africa and the shifting geopolitical landscape across the Sahel.


How does Moscow’s vast propaganda machine continue to shape public opinion in the region? How is the Kremlin using disinformation to expand its influence? And what options remain for Europe in a region where its power is fast fading?


Bookshelf:

The Bear and the Bot Farm: Countering Russian Hybrid Warfare in Africa by Will Brown

The Lumumba Plot: The Secret History of the CIA and a Cold War Assassination by Stuart A. Reid

Attack on Titan (TV Series 2013–2023)

Beyond the Door of No Return by David Diop

The Strong Brown God: The Story of the Niger River by Sanche de Gramont


This episode was recorded on November 5th 2025

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Avsnitt(632)

China's technological dominance

China's technological dominance

China’s rise has long fascinated policymakers, economists and technologists. But few observers have studied the country’s technological ambitions as closely as Dan Wang, research fellow at the Hoover ...

5 Dec 202530min

ECFR at 18: Has European foreign policy come of age?

ECFR at 18: Has European foreign policy come of age?

The European Council on Foreign Relations turned 18 in November 2025. This milestone offers a unique moment to reflect on the world in which ECFR was founded—and how dramatically it has changed. In 20...

28 Nov 202543min

Trump's 28-point plan for Ukraine

Trump's 28-point plan for Ukraine

In this emergency podcast episode, Mark Leonard welcomes Jana Kobzova, co-director of ECFR’s European Security Programme, and Jim O’Brien, former US assistant secretary of state for Europe and ECFR di...

21 Nov 202530min

The future of European air defence

The future of European air defence

Europe’s most ambitious defence project is in deep trouble. Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS), presented as the crown jewel of Franco-German cooperation, was meant to deliver a next-generation ...

21 Nov 202526min

The politics of migration and integration

The politics of migration and integration

Across Europe, immigration and integration have become pressing political issues. The far right is surging in national polls, and debates over borders and national identity are reshaping party systems...

14 Nov 202528min

Venezuela and Trump’s hemispheric defence agenda

Venezuela and Trump’s hemispheric defence agenda

This week, Mark Leonard returns to the World in 30 Minutes to unpack the latest development in US foreign policy: America’s military buildup off the coast of Venezuela. The US has deployed troops in t...

31 Okt 202522min

Ukraine, Russia and Trump’s sanctions gamble

Ukraine, Russia and Trump’s sanctions gamble

Donald Trump’s efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine have largely taken a backseat to events in Gaza. But a recent call with Vladimir Putin, followed by a tense meeting with Volodymyr Zel...

24 Okt 202530min

Populärt inom Politik & nyheter

aftonbladet-krim
svenska-fall
p3-krim
rss-krimstad
blenda-2
flashback-forever
rss-sanning-konsekvens
politiken
rss-vad-fan-hande
aftonbladet-daily
motiv
rss-krimreportrarna
spar
grans
svd-ledarredaktionen
rss-frandfors-horna
rss-flodet
dagens-eko
olyckan-inifran
rss-klubbland-en-podd-mest-om-frolunda