The “Week” in Review: July 22-August 4, 2023

A coup in Niger, Ukrainian “peace talks” in Saudi Arabia, and more

This past two weeks, the Israeli Knesset passed the first component of Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul plan. Following the ousting of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, the Economic Community of West African States took swift action, imposing sanctions and threatening to invade by the end of this weekend if Bazoum’s government isn’t restored to power. Ukraine’s counteroffensive continued to grind forward as Ukraine prepares for Saudi-hosted “peace talks” that Russia will not be attending. Bolivia’s Minister of Defense visited Tehran to sign a nebulous security memorandum, with Western news outlets sounding the alarm over increased Iranian influence in South America. And, Saudi Arabia is asking for a mutual defense treaty with the US.