In late May of this year, Lithuania announced it would not participate any longer in the 17+1 format initiated by China to promote its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Central and Eastern European countries. Affirmations by Chinese authorities emphasize that it is a cross-regional “cooperation based on voluntarism, extensive consultation,openness a nd inclusiveness” and that it has “brought tangible …

Since 2013, France has sent troops to Mali to help local forces repel jihadist groups, initially with the Serval Operationin response to the Malian president’s request. The 2013 Livre blanc sur la défense et la sécurité nationale describing France’s external strategic and military priorities in terms of defense illustrates the sensitivity of the Sahelian strip. This operation was envisaged by …