Should the U.S. Reduce Troops in Africa?

The story

The U.S. military is weighing significantly drawing down the number of U.S. Special Operations Forces in Africa, the New York Times reports.

Why it matters

The planned reductions are intended to help better align the military’s posture with the Trump administration’s new defense strategy, which focuses more on Russia and China.

Some senior military officials have expressed concern that the U.S. would be reducing its presence at a time when terrorist activity in Africa is growing.

Others note that none of the terrorist groups in Africa have attacked the U.S., and thus question “whether it is in the United States’ interest to combat these threats across the African continent.”

The plan follows an October ambush in Niger that left four U.S. soldiers dead, and an attack in June that killed another U.S. soldier in southwestern Somalia.

Africa gained traction as another battlefront in combating terrorism when Islamist militants began pledging allegiance to the once prominent ISIS, as well as al Qaeda. Boko Haram — a jihadist militant group based in parts of Nigeria, but also active in Chad, Niger and northern Cameroon — was one example of a group attempting to ally itself with the main ISIS cohort in Iraq and Syria.

Former President Obama attempted a similar withdrawal during his time in office. The Wall Street Journal explains:

“The Bush Administration created Africom in 2007 to deal with growing threats in the region. President Obama made progress against al Qaeda in his first term—until he declared the group effectively defeated and gave Islamic State an opening in Iraq and Syria. The Islamist menace grew in Africa and around the world as the U.S. disengaged, and Mr. Obama had to play catch up late in his Presidency.”

What do you think?

Should the U.S. reduce its troop presence in Africa? Why or why not? Hit Take Action to tell your reps what you think, then share your thoughts below.

—Sara E. Murphy

(Photo Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Wilson)