How the U.S. military cultivated — and then lost — a key African ally

The U.S. military on Monday withdrew from its base near Agadez, Niger, marking the end of a security relationship with this West African nation that has lasted more than two decades. At its peak, the mission included 1,100 service members split mostly between bases in Niamey, the capital, and outside Agadez. The withdrawal follows months of fruitless negotiations with Niger’s military government, which seized power in a coup a year ago.