In a significant move that will require the Biden administration to reassess its counter-terrorism strategy, the United States has announced the withdrawal of more than 1,000 military personnel from Niger. This decision comes in the aftermath of the ruling military junta in the West African country revoking a security pact with Washington, which allowed American forces to assist in the fight against jihadist terrorism.

US officials had expressed optimism that negotiations behind closed doors could salvage the 12-year-old agreement. However, hopes were dashed when a spokesperson for the junta publicly deemed the US military presence in Niger as "illegal" on March 15th, putting the agreement in jeopardy.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell held discussions with Niger's Prime Minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, in Washington this week. It was during these meetings that the US acknowledged defeat and made the decision to withdraw its forces. The withdrawal is expected to take place over the next few months and will result in the closure of Base 201, a US drone facility located in Agadez in the Sahara Desert, at an estimated cost of $110 million. Base 201 has been a key drone facility in Africa and was involved in operations against jihadist groups in the Sahel region, including launching deadly strikes against Islamic State militants in Libya in 2019.

Tensions between Niger and the United States have been strained since July of last year when the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown in a coup. Despite calls from the US for his release, President Bazoum remains under house arrest. Following the coup, Niger's new leadership has pursued closer ties with Russia, similar to neighboring countries Mali and Burkina Faso, where Russian military forces have established a presence.

The arrival of Russian military equipment and advisers in Niger has sparked protests in the capital, Niamey. Thousands of demonstrators gathered to demand the withdrawal of American forces. US military commanders have expressed concerns about the increasing Russian influence in the Sahel region and other parts of Africa, warning that this comes at the expense of American interests.

The US became more alarmed when Prime Minister Lamine Zeine visited Moscow in December of last year to discuss military and economic ties, followed by a visit to Tehran in the following month, where he met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Earlier this year, senior officials from the State Department and Pentagon visited Niger in an attempt to salvage the military agreement. Unfortunately, their efforts were not successful, as tensions grew over unfounded American suspicions of negotiations allowing Iran access to Niger's uranium resources, potentially bolstering Tehran's nuclear program.

The withdrawal of American forces from Niger follows the expulsion of French troops in the aftermath of last year's coup. This latest development marks a strategic victory for Russia, which has expanded its influence in the region. The Biden administration will now have to reevaluate its counter-terrorism strategy in West Africa, considering the changing dynamics on the ground.