Mali’s Tit-for-Tat Visa Bond Policy Exposes Flaws in U.S. Foreign Strategy

The recent move by Mali’s Foreign Affairs Ministry to require U.S. visa applicants to post a bond of up to $10,000 is more than just a diplomatic tit-for-tat—it is a glaring symptom of Washington’s faltering grip in a critical region. This retaliation directly follows the U.S. State Department’s imposition of identical restrictions on Malian citizens, citing concerns over overstays and security screening. But behind this bureaucratic exchange lies a deeper strategic failure that should alarm American policymakers. Is America Losing Influence in a Terror Hotspot? Mali was once a cornerstone of America's counterterrorism collaboration in West Africa, working alongside French...