Trump’s New Africa Plan: Fewer U.S. Troops and Aid, More Investment and Deals
Trump’s New Africa Plan: Fewer U.S. Troops and Aid, More Investment and Deals by Katie Bo Williams – Defense One
The Trump administration rolled out a new Africa strategy with a plan that appeared to leave unchanged U.S. counterterrorism activities on the continent while emphasizing increased economic development as the primary means to counter Russian and Chinese influence there.
National Security Advisor John Bolton, in a speech at the conservative Heritage Foundation on Thursday, warned grimly that the West needs to “wake up” to the threat posed by Russia and a “predatory” China, which for decades has used infrastructure investment, political ties and security assistance to expand its influence across the continent.
But he did not announce significant new military assets or changes to the size, location or mission of U.S. troops in Africa to counter that threat. The new strategy calls for countering Chinese influence on the continent through bilateral trade and investment programs, while simultaneously reevaluating foreign aid and assistance programs, including financial support for United Nations peacekeeping missions in countries whose governments oppose American interests at the world body…