The Trump administration is actively evaluating the prospect of military strikes within Mali, specifically targeting Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). This powerful jihadist group, known for its affiliation with Al-Qaïda, has been relentlessly challenging the authority of Mali’s ruling junta. Should these potential US Mali strikes materialize, Mali would become the eighth nation to experience American military intervention since the start of Donald Trump’s second presidential term. This significant development prompts crucial inquiries: What precisely would such a military operation entail? Furthermore, could an American intervention in this volatile Sahel region inevitably lead to heightened tensions with Russian forces already established on the ground?