Critical State: Burkina Faso's 'Self-Reliance' and its Discontents
If you read just one thing this week … read about the youngest leader in Africa.
The Associated Press’s Dulue Mbachu reported on Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Africa’s youngest leader at 37, and the praise and criticism he’s drawn as he steers Burkina Faso through political upheaval and deepening security challenges.
Since seizing power in a 2022 coup — Burkina Faso’s second that year — Traoré has positioned himself as a champion of pan-Africanism and independence from Western influence, particularly France. His recent appearance in Moscow for the 80th anniversary of the USSR’s defeat of Nazi Germany underscored his growing alignment with Russia, a move that has sparked debate across the continent.
Traoré’s rhetoric of self-reliance resonates with many young Africans disillusioned by decades of stagnation under older leaders. Supporters see him as a symbol of generational change and sovereignty, especially after Burkina Faso cut ties with ECOWAS and Western allies. Richard Alandu, a Ghanaian living near the border with Burkina Faso said there “is a growing consciousness among African youth at home and abroad that they need to do something about the continent’s lack of progress … It appears Traore has become the face of that consciousness.”
The leader’s popularity surged again following an alleged coup attempt and US accusations of misusing gold reserves after Traoré nationalized the reserves. Despite growing international scrutiny, Traoré maintains strong domestic support, particularly among youth who view him as a bold alternative to entrenched elites.
However, critics argue that his leadership has failed to deliver on promises to end the country’s jihadist insurgency or improve economic conditions. Analysts note that violence has worsened, and most citizens remain excluded from the country’s mineral wealth.
Gbara Awanen, professor of international relations and security studies at Nigeria’s Baze University, who specializes in West Africa, told the AP there “has been no real progress on the ground" in terms of containing the insurgency.
If You Read One More Thing: Europe's Concerns about Israel’s War
A majority of EU countries support reviewing the EU-Israel Association Agreement, citing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to Nicholas Vinocur at Politico.
The agreement, in place since 2000, governs political, economic, and trade relations between the EU and Israel. The initiative, led by the Netherlands, focuses on Article 2, which ties the agreement to respect for human rights. Over 14 EU foreign ministers backed the call during a recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.
Critics argue that Israel’s handling of humanitarian aid in Gaza violates international principles of neutrality and access. The European Commission holds final authority on any review, but mounting pressure could force action.
Neo-Nazism Across the Pond
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Alex Moss and Emily Johnson of the BBC covered the conviction of three far-right extremists in the UK on terrorism offenses after plotting violent attacks on mosques, Islamic centers, and synagogues.
The men, Brogan Stewart, Christopher Ringrose, and Marco Pitzettu, idolized the Nazi regime, amassed over 200 weapons and discussed torture methods in encrypted chats. Stewart, the group’s leader, envisioned forming a “new einsatzgruppe,” referencing Nazi death squads.
“Sheffield Crown Court was told how Stewart had detailed torturing a Muslim leader using an ‘information extraction kit’," the article detailed. The group, which never met in person and only communicated online, was infiltrated by an undercover officer, and authorities intervened amid fears of an imminent attack.
Deep Dive: Behind Silver Screen
Have you ever flipped on a movie only to notice the subtext that the American military is the hero? Or that whomever Washington considers a rival at that moment is the villain? If the answer's yes, don't worry: Your mind's not playing tricks on you.
A new report from Tanner Mirrlees at the Brown University’s Costs of War project reveals the deep and enduring ties between the US Department of Defense (DoD) and the entertainment industry, highlighting how movies and television have long served as tools of military influence.
The paper documents how the Pentagon has shaped over 2,500 war-themed productions, embedding pro-military narratives into popular culture.
The report outlines how the Pentagon offers filmmakers access to expensive military equipment, personnel, and locations in exchange for script approval and alignment with military messaging. This collaboration, formalized through the DoD’s Entertainment Media Office, ensures that US soldiers are portrayed as heroic while minimizing or omitting the civilian toll of war. Mirrlees cites productions like Top Gun, Iron Man, and Captain Marvel as examples where military influence altered storylines to preserve the Pentagon’s image and support recruitment goals.
The paper traces this relationship back to World War I, when the US government used film to rally public support. It intensified during World War II and evolved through the Cold War and post-9/11 era, with the Pentagon actively shaping narratives in films like Black Hawk Down, Zero Dark Thirty, and American Sniper. These portrayals often glorify US military power while dehumanizing perceived enemies and sanitizing the consequences of war.
Economic incentives drive this partnership. Studios benefit from reduced production costs, while the military gains a powerful platform for public relations and recruitment. For instance, the Air Force’s collaboration on Captain Marvel led to a spike in female applicants to the Air Force Academy, dubbed the “Captain Marvel effect.”
Critics argue this alliance amounts to taxpayer-funded propaganda. The Pentagon selectively supports productions that align with its goals, effectively censoring dissenting narratives. Films critical of US military actions, such as Platoon or Redacted, are often denied support.
The report warns that this “DoD-Hollywood complex” distorts public understanding of war, promotes American exceptionalism, and normalizes militarism. It calls for greater transparency and public debate about the ethical implications of military-entertainment collaborations.
As the US continues to spend nearly $850 billion annually on defense, the paper urges scrutiny of how entertainment media contributes to public support for endless war. In shaping how Americans see their military, Hollywood is not just telling stories — it’s helping write the script for US foreign policy.
Show us the Receipts
At Inkstick, former managing editor Sahar Khan did a deep dive on the myths that continue to fuel war between Pakistan and India. If another conflict erupts in the future, one “possible off-ramp is to encourage both states to declare victory, praise them for practicing nuclear restraint, and discourage them from climbing up the escalation ladder,” Khan wrote.
Meanwhile, another Inkstick piece by Hanan Zaffar looked at how India’s booming cyber scam industry is wreaking global havoc. In rural and urban pockets alike, thousands of young Indians — fluent in English and tech-savvy — are turning to online fraud as a lucrative alternative to scarce legal jobs. These scams often begin with fake tech support pop-ups and end with elderly victims in the US, UK, or Canada losing thousands of dollars. Transnational operations are increasingly difficult to police. Law enforcement agencies like the FBI and Interpol have launched joint crackdowns with Indian authorities, but the underground economy continues to thrive.
At The World, Hannah Chanatry reported on Ontario’s approval of a $15 billion initiative to construct four small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) near Toronto, marking a major step in Canada’s clean energy ambitions. The province aims to become the first G7 nation to deploy SMRs for civilian use, amid surging electricity demand driven by electrification and climate change. SMRs promise faster, cheaper deployment than traditional nuclear plants, with components manufactured off-site.
Inkstick’s Call for Pitches
Inkstick is calling on reporters and writers who might have ideas that would fit our editorial mandate to send pitches. Our nonprofit newsroom focuses on the human impact of global security, the defense industry, and war. We’re especially interested in reported features out of the United States. Email editors Patrick Strickland and Allyn Gaestel at pstrickland (at) inkstickmedia (dot) com and agaestel (at) inkstickmedia (dot) com.
Critical State is written by Inkstick Media in collaboration with The World.
The World is a weekday public radio show and podcast on global issues, news, and insights from PRX and GBH.
With an online magazine and podcast featuring a diversity of expert voices, Inkstick Media is “foreign policy for the rest of us.”
Critical State is made possible in part by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.