Rachel Chason

Washington, D.C.

West Africa bureau chief

Education: Duke University

Rachel Chason is The Washington Post's West Africa bureau chief. Before becoming a foreign correspondent in 2022, she was a reporter on the Local desk, focusing on politics and government in Prince George's County, Md.
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Latest from Rachel Chason

At least 56 killed in crowd crush at soccer match in Guinea, officials say

An unknown number of others in the country’s largest southern city were injured when security tried to stop clashes over a disputed penalty,

December 2, 2024

    How Russia extends its influence into Africa

    The Post's Rachel Chason shows how Russian influence appears in Burkina Faso through an opaque network of Kremlin-linked groups.

    December 1, 2024

    Inside the effort to market Russia and Putin to Africans

    The Africa Initiative is part of an opaque network of groups that Western officials and analysts say the Kremlin uses to spread Russian influence in Africa.

    December 1, 2024
    African Initiative's Ayo speaks during a contest for a scooter at the organization's headquarters in Ouagadougou. (Adrien Bitibaly for The Washington Post)

    As fear of Middle East war grows, more Jewish Americans move to Israel

    Since the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, 2023, over 11,700 Americans have opened applications to immigrate to Israel. That’s nearly double the number the year before.

    November 8, 2024

    Bloody attack in Mali’s capital shows al-Qaeda’s shifting strategy

    As Islamist militants spread south, group leaders have made clear their fight is with Mali’s government — and the Wagner mercenaries protecting it.

    October 29, 2024
    A video still shows a plume of smoke in Bamako, Mali, on Sept. 17, when militants with an al-Qaeda affiliate launched an attack in the city.

    Iran launched nearly 200 missiles at Israel, U.S. says

    The attack came days after Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah, a key Tehran ally, and as Israeli ground forces enter Lebanon, sparking fear of an even wider war.

    October 1, 2024

    Iran hits Israel with ballistic missiles; Netanyahu vows to strike back

    Iran fired about 180 missiles at Israel, the military said, an attack that came with little advance warning.

    October 1, 2024
    Israel's Iron Dome antimissile system intercepts rockets, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on Tuesday.

    Israel begins ‘targeted’ operations in Lebanon, urges civilians to leave

    Soldiers were conducting “localized ground raids” on areas that have been used to launch attacks on Israeli border communities, a spokesman said.

    October 1, 2024
    Smoke rises in southern Lebanon on Tuesday after an Israeli bombardment.

    Israelis cheer Nasrallah assassination but are wary of what comes next

    Momentum for further action is building in Israel, where many believe their country has gained an upper hand against a longtime foe and should make the most of its advantage.

    September 29, 2024
    Families of hostages held in the Gaza Strip and supporters in Tel Aviv on September 21.

    After targeting Hezbollah leaders in Beirut, Israeli military says it is carrying out more strikes

    Hasan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, was the target of the strike on Friday, according to a person familiar with information provided by Israel after the attack.

    September 28, 2024