Russian military instructors are in Niger, along with a state-of-the-art air defence system.

Almost 700,000 Macedonians – about a third of the population – live abroad. The reason: no work, too much corruption, and no prospects back at home. North Macedonia has one of the highest emigration rates in the world.

Benin's position not to allow ships carrying Nigerien crude oil to enter the ports in Benin threatened the survival of Niger's military junta. More than 90,000 barrels of crude per day were earmarked for shipping to China through a pipeline that travels through Benin.

A black swan moment. The assassination attempt of populist Slovak leader Robert Fico has shocked both Slovaks and Europeans. But in hindsight it is easy to point to security lapses and a climate of verbal violence in a country that finds itself increasingly polarised. Our guests take a look.