“It is evident that many more princes have lost their lives and their states through conspiracies than through open warfare, because being able to wage open war against a prince is within the reach of very few, while the possibility of conspiring against him is open to everyone.” - Machiavelli [Discourses, III.6]
On Wednesday, July 26th, the Palace Guards in the African nation of Niger detained the President, Mohamed Bazoum. After some hours of confusion and protests from his supporters, the world witnessed a now-familiar sight: a group of African military officers, this time calling themselves the “National Council for Safeguard of the Homeland” [CNSP], on state television announcing an end to civil government. Acting as the ju…
