Mali
Located nowhere near Russia's so-called Near Abroad, Moscow has reliably called the West African nation of Mali its friend dating back to the Cold War. Though the relationship was predicated mostly on military aid and geopolitical considerations, Mali and Russia have maintained strong ties despite coups, calamities and regime changes. A landlocked country, Mali relies heavily on the investment and foreign aid of outside markets, and has seen the development of warmer relations with both the United States and India in recent years. Global Top 5s is a monthly feature by RealClearWorld.com powered by Gallup's worldwide research. Learn more at Gallup.com.
