Image Source: Institute for Security Studies The recent military coup in Burkina Faso indicates a deepening governance and security crisis in the Sahel that threatens to impede regional and international counterterrorism efforts and destabilize an ever-widening geographic area as jihadists exploit instability to expand their spheres of influence. The insecurity and violence associated with Salafi-jihadi … Continue reading Merci Beaucoup: How Terrorist Organizations Will Benefit from the Recent Military Coup in Burkina Faso
Category: Sub-Saharan Africa
The U.S. Approach to African Food Security Needs a New Look
Image Source: US State Department Food insecurity in Africa – and around the globe – has long been recognized as a key, upstream contributor to manifold crises: from political instability, to unrest, to violent extremism, to mass migration. The relationship is also cyclical; war and political instability tend to worsen food insecurity. When it comes … Continue reading The U.S. Approach to African Food Security Needs a New Look
Why should we pay more attention to LGBTQ+ rights in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Image Source: Emily Leshner, AP // on NBC News Security interests in Africa also exist outside of the strategic competition paradigm. Policymakers should be more involved in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the promotion of minority rights and democratic processes should be our primary motivation, not strategic competition. In the past two years concerns about “democratic backsliding” … Continue reading Why should we pay more attention to LGBTQ+ rights in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Is Europe Ready for the Next Wave of Climate Migration?
Image Source: United Nations While the war in Ukraine rightfully has the attention of Europe’s policymakers right now, there is a brewing crisis to the south that warrants preparation. The Lake Chad Basin (LCB) area’s climate change is increasingly connected to regional migration. Already, LCB countries are experiencing rapid population growth which is straining resources … Continue reading Is Europe Ready for the Next Wave of Climate Migration?
The Problem with America’s Africa Strategy: What is Wrong and How to Fix It
Image Source: BBC It’s been two months since the Biden administration unveiled its “Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa” and two months remain until the administration hosts the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington. It is, thus, an opportune time to review America’s Africa strategy and make revisions if needed. The strategy outlines four key objectives aligned with … Continue reading The Problem with America’s Africa Strategy: What is Wrong and How to Fix It
Is it time for the UN to help Malians talk to JNIM?
MINUSMA Transport Company Delivers Water to Airport Guards. Photo Credit: United Nations In late January 2022, France announced it would “reevaluate” the future of its counterterrorism operations in Mali. This came after France had already downsized Operation Barkhane, and closed bases in Timbuktu, Kidal, and Tessalit. Operation Barkhane led by the French since 2014 aimed … Continue reading Is it time for the UN to help Malians talk to JNIM?
The Revival of Strategic Competition in West Africa: Western Intransigence and Eastern Assertiveness
The Reemergence of Geopolitical Alignment On September 1, 1961, in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, 25 heads of state hailing from four continents—from Cuba in the West to Indonesia in the East, gathered to formally establish the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Born ideologically of the movements for anti-colonialism, non-interference, and pacifism, it would morph into an explicit geopolitical position … Continue reading The Revival of Strategic Competition in West Africa: Western Intransigence and Eastern Assertiveness
The Resource Curse, Colonialism, and The Hypocrisy of Western “Climate Leadership”
Photo Credit: Getty Images Introduction: Is Colonialism still in the Atmosphere? Western countries are often hypocrites, especially when it comes to climate change mitigation. As the world works to curb emissions and tackle climate change, many Western countries, including the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany, are investing in green energy sectors across African countries attempting … Continue reading The Resource Curse, Colonialism, and The Hypocrisy of Western “Climate Leadership”
A Friendly Reminder that Al-Qaeda is Still Strong and Will Likely Become Even Stronger
A fighter from the Al-Nusra Front holds a flag representing the local al-Qaeda branch in Syria. Photo Credit: Rami Al-Sayed, AFP. Prior to and following the withdrawal from Afghanistan, US intelligence and defense officials sounded the alarm regarding al-Qaeda. They specifically flagged al-Qaeda’s ability to reconstitute its capabilities and conduct an attack on US interests … Continue reading A Friendly Reminder that Al-Qaeda is Still Strong and Will Likely Become Even Stronger
The US does not have an Africa strategy, but China does
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army attends the opening ceremony of China’s military base in Djibouti — its first overseas naval base — in August 2017. Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images Washington’s interests on the African continent are poorly defined. This lack of strategic attention is illustrated by the Pentagon’s publication of regional strategies for Europe and … Continue reading The US does not have an Africa strategy, but China does