Policy
AFRICOM Adds Logistics Hub in West Africa, Hinting at an Enduring US Presence
From Ghana’s capital, a new supply network will ferry supplies and arms to special forces troops across the region.
Threats
AFRICOM Commander: SpecOps Cuts Won’t Help China, But We Could Use More Regular Troops
“It’s really a misleading narrative to say that optimization is causing us to walk away from Africa,” Gen. Waldhauser said in an interview.
Ideas
The US Needs a Real Plan to Counter China in Africa
The current toothless strategy won’t prevent Beijing from, say, squeezing supply lines to America's biggest African base.
Science & Tech
The US Is Buying Phone Hacking Tools for Ghana’s Police
The State Department wants Ghanaian law enforcement to be able to access Android, Windows, and BlackBerry devices used in transnational crime.
Policy
Trump’s New Africa Plan: Fewer US Troops and Aid, More Investment and Deals
To compete with China in Africa, the White House aims to encourage U.S. investment but will continue a troop drawdown and plans a harsh re-evaluation of foreign assistance.
Policy
From Small Wars to Great Power, Trump’s Africa Reset Could Change US Military’s Role
The U.S. is cutting 10 percent of its counterterrorism troops in Africa. Will China and Russia fill the gap?
Threats
China is Exporting its Cyber Surveillance to African Countries
Beijing has trained African officials on its sprawling system of censorship and surveillance.
Ideas
Ep. 24: Unmasking the GRU; The future of al-Shabaab; F-35 and the UK; and Bell Helicopter CEO Mitch Snyder
Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Threats
The 'War on Terror' Still Grows in Somalia
“Drone strikes may have a purpose, but they are no substitute for a political strategy.”
Threats
Russia Is the Latest World Power Eyeing the Horn of Africa
Moscow is in negotiations with Eritrea to establish a new logistics hub, location and opening date TBD.
Threats
Boko Haram’s Deadly Impact
A new compilation of data gives insight into the African Islamist insurgency’s reach, tactics, and evolution. It reveals a far higher victim count than previous estimates.
Threats
Soft-Power Watch: China's Burgeoning Cultural Institutes in Africa
Despite the fact China is building institutions like those European countries have operated for decades, it is their structure which distinguishes them from their western counterparts.
Ideas
Rushing Libya’s Elections Will Lead to Disaster
The country won't be ready for its scheduled elections on Dec. 10. Their failure could engender chaos that could shake the entire region.
Ideas
An Extraordinarily Expensive Way to Fight ISIS
The tale of a 2017 bombing raid in the Libyan desert that pitted stealth bombers and 500-pound bombs against 70 ragtag fighters.
Ideas
The US Is Letting Sudan Off the Hook
Lifting sanctions allows the regime to continue to sow discord in a region that the U.S. and allies are spending billions to stabilize.
Ideas
What Happens in the Gulf Doesn’t Stay in the Gulf
A year after the Qatar crisis began, it’s having potentially dangerous reverberations in the Horn of Africa.
Threats
Beijing Announces Inaugural China-Africa Defense Forum
Hosted by the Ministry of Defense, the June 26-July 10 event is just Beijing's latest effort to deepen ties with the continent.
Science & Tech
The US Military Has a New Tool to Connect Its Far-Flung African Bases
A medium-earth-orbit satellite contract hints at AFRICOM’s data and connectivity needs.
Ideas
Russia Is Back In Africa — and Making Some Very Odd Deals
Since December, Moscow has struck major deals in the Central African Republic with both government and rebel leaders.
Ideas