{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/60518a52f69aa815d2dba41c/67c0fca8cabc05e91c79b868?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Lawfare Daily: Dispatches from the Sahel, with Rachel Chason and John Lechner","description":"<p>On today’s episode, the Washington Post's West Africa bureau chief Rachel Chason and freelance journalist John Lechner join<em>&nbsp;Lawfare</em>&nbsp;Managing Editor Tyler McBrien to talk about the current state of the Sahel and the many forces that have converged in the region over the past couple of years.</p><p>They discussed Chason’s new series out in the Post, “Crossroads of Conflict,” which includes six rich portraits of Sahelian actors, including:&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2025/africa-sahel/islam-jihad-extremist-movement/?itid=mc_af-epilogue-0\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">an Islamist militant</a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2025/africa-sahel/militias-islamic-extremism-violence/?itid=mc_af-epilogue-1\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">a militia commander</a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2025/africa-sahel/russian-influence-putin-wagner-group/?itid=mc_af-epilogue-2\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">a Russian mercenary</a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2025/africa-sahel/american-military-foreign-threats/?itid=mc_af-epilogue-3\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">an American soldier</a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2025/africa-sahel/military-coups-african-nations-sovereignty/?itid=mc_af-epilogue-4\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">a coup leader</a>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2025/africa-sahel/journalism-media-threats-democracy/?itid=mc_af-epilogue-5\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">a defiant broadcaster</a>. They also talked about Lechner’s forthcoming book,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.johnlechnerauthor.com/death-is-our-business\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">“Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare.”</a></p><p>We value your feedback! Help us improve by sharing your thoughts at&nbsp;<a href=\"http://lawfaremedia.org/survey\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">lawfaremedia.org/survey</a>. Your input ensures that we deliver what matters most to you. Thank you for your support—and, as always, for listening!</p><p>To receive ad-free podcasts, become a&nbsp;<em>Lawfare&nbsp;</em>Material Supporter at&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.patreon.com/lawfare\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">www.patreon.com/lawfare</a>. You can also support&nbsp;<em>Lawfare&nbsp;</em>by making a one-time donation at&nbsp;<a href=\"https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute</a>.</p>","author_name":"The Lawfare Institute"}