 Mr. Pezeshkian now faces an uphill task. His plans will likely be opposed by a hardline-dominated parliament. The military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger will officially launch their new regional bloc today, known as the Alliance of Sahel States. They're holding their first summit in Niger's capital, Niamey, since seizing power in coups. Ibrahim Bana, a civil society activist, says the security of the Sahel region will be a priority.