Polemology Positions

Polemology Positions

Russia Is Losing Mali The Same Way They Lost Afghanistan

Weekend rebel offensive resonates with the history of the Red Army in central Asia

Apr 27, 2026
∙ Paid
Image
A JNIM (Al Qaeda) truck bomb abandoned during fighting in Sévaré

Malian rebel forces opened a coordinated offensive this weekend with decapitation strikes that killed the Minister of Defense, General Sadio Camara, and forced Russian mercenaries to abandon a base at Kidal. Camara was the Malian leader who replaced French troops with Africa Corps, the reti…

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Matt Osborne.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Polemology Positions · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture