On July 26th, a military coup led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani deposed elected Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum. This has triggered condemnation in Washington and a threat from the West African regional organization Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to intervene militarily and restore Bazoum to power. What is to be made of the threat of military intervention by the ECOWAS? Will this coup embolden the standing of Russia and its Wagner Group in the region? What does sound U.S. policy in Niger and the Sahel more broadly look like?
