# Explainer 503: Why is the US making nice with West African juntas?

An episode of [The Foreign Desk](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/786319916), 4 Feb 2026, 7:50.

Audio: https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e6127ab7-b81e-456b-893c-a8d600215365/7b9f282e-1b97-4d40-a38f-ab8a0123a4e7/80779154-ec6a-4034-8036-b3e700c7c3e0/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=ed6a263e-d325-4e94-a10c-ab8a0123a4ec

Given Trump’s recent, more combative approach to foreign policy, it was surprising to see the US extend the hand of friendship to West Africa’s military dictators this week. So what’s behind this new alliance? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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