The World

Iran war spreads beyond the Middle East

Mar 5, 2026
Kunle Adibajo, investigator of African recruitment into Russian forces; Paul Salopek, National Geographic explorer reporting on melting permafrost; Ali Baez, Iran policy expert at the International Crisis Group. They discuss African fighters recruited to fight for Russia. They map Iran’s widening campaign across neighboring states and naval threats. They describe thawing permafrost driving landslides and geohazard risks.
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ADVICE

Buy And Cook Only What You'll Actually Eat

  • To cut household food waste, change purchasing and cooking habits rather than only recycling.
  • Jason Strother and Kim Mi-hwa advise buying just enough ingredients and preparing fewer dishes to reduce leftovers.
ANECDOTE

Many Africans Lured To Russia End Up On Front Lines

  • Africans are being recruited to fight for Russia with promises of jobs, citizenship, and pay, then coerced into frontline combat.
  • Kunle Adibajo cites cases like Francis Ndaroa who traveled for work but was forced into combat and likely killed.
INSIGHT

Recruitment Exploits Migration Pathways And Prisons

  • Recruitment methods vary from social media job ads to prison recruitment and promises of naturalization.
  • Adibajo warns governments have struggled to stop recruitment despite issuing warnings and advisories.
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