2022 Winter Olympics, Ukraine-Russia tensions, West Africa coup contagion

Just how real is the threat of war in Ukraine? For residents along the border between Ukraine and Russia, the answer is very realistic: 120,000 Russian troops are there, with more in Belarus too. US Defence Spokesman John Kirby warned earlier that the United States is increasing troop numbers in eastern Europe, ready to respond.

Also this week, Mali served notice on the French ambassador to leave the country. It's a new low in Franco-Malian relations amid the seeming disintegration of French influence in the Sahel region of Africa, with Russia and China set to fill the void left by the end of Operation Barkhane.

>> Shadow of Russia's Wagner Group looms large over post-coup Mali

Produced by Charles Wente, Juliette Laurain and Léopoldine Iribarren.

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