Francis Phillip

Image: Lbnntv.com From boots on the ground to battles for the mind. Kit Klarenberg examines the Pentagon's new psychological operations unit and Washington's bid to reclaim influence in Africa. Originally published in Al Mayadeen. The Pentagon has activated a new psychological operations unit targeting Africa, tasked with “expanding the military’s ability to influence foreign audiences” across the continent.

A medical worker prepares a hepatitis B vaccine. Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua/via Getty Images A controversial hepatitis B vaccine study, funded by the U.S. but paused by Guinea-Bissau, has become a flashpoint in the political battle over vaccine safety and scientific integrity. In the January 21 issue of BAR, we reprinted an article which reported that the study would continue but that statement from the U.S. has been contradicted by news from Guinea-Bissau. Originally published in NPR.

In 2025, Françafrique didn’t die — it just booked a seat on a French military plane. Macron’s “Operation Rescue” proves that old habits still fly first-class. Originally published in Raïs Neza Boneza. In October 2025, a French military aircraft quietly took off from Réunion Island on a mission that seemed straight out of a Cold War spy novel.