Publication

This report examines the potential threat of violent Islamist activity in the Sahel countries of Mali, Niger, Chad and Mauritania. It gives an overview of Islamist activities in the region and its political specificities. The report warns of a misconceived approach that could tip the scale the wrong way and instead advocates a long-term engagement with the four countries to keep the region peaceful. The authors conclude that an effective counterterrorism policy needs to address the threat in the broadest terms, with more development than military aid and greater US-European collaboration.