This is the CBSi on the world. I'm John Bachelor with my colleague and co-host, Bill

Rajo, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy. He keeps the Long War Journal.

And we're very, very privileged to be speaking to Caleb Weiss of the FDD,

as well as the Long War Journal, for the Bridgeway Foundation.

He is in Africa helping us understand this vast territory and the activities of the

jihadists these many decades. We've been talking about Somalia, but we're going to

West Africa now because there are new players in West Africa.

Bill, you have a question about our friend, the Russians.

Yes, Caleb, so the US is withdrawing from the drone base in Niger after the junta that saw the France also leave.

There was a report last week that the Russian troops were entering the base, that US troops are currently, that

are still there.

They're in the process of withdrawal.

What type of, is this an intentional message from Nigerians is a sort of a thumb in the eye to the US on the way out the door is this accidental

How is this also read throughout the region?

I think this is a that's a message from both the junta and

Niger and also the ex Wagner now Africa Corps mercenaries

as as a definitely a thumb in the eye to the US.

To move the Russian mercenaries are, you know, basically formalized troops at this point because they're

under the Russian MOD to the base where US troops are still currently stationed.

It's sending a message that you no longer wanted.

We don't want you here.

And in fact, we don't like you enough to put these

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