Briefing | The menace of midsized meddlers

As America retreats, regional rogues are on the rise

Smaller menaces are throwing their weight around more brazenly than ever before

|Addis Ababa, Basra, Caracas, Dubai, Islamabad and Istanbul

IN AUGUST SAMANTHA POWER, America’s aid chief, visited Ethiopia. Not long ago, such an important official from the world’s only superpower would have been welcomed with deference. Instead, her request for a meeting with Ethiopia’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, was ignored. However, Abiy did find time that day to appear on television inspecting drones apparently made by America’s arch-enemy, Iran.

This article appeared in the Briefing section of the print edition under the headline “The menace of midsized meddlers”

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