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US military reassesses West Africa strategy as troops exit Niger
As the U.S. withdraws 1,000 troops from Niger, the top U.S. military officer said other West African nations may be open to an expanded American presence.
By Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press
US readying plans to evacuate drone bases in Niger if necessary
Gen. James Hecker stressed there has been no decision from the Biden administration as to whether the Niger military’s July 26 coup requires evacuation.
AFRICOM’s Flintlock exercise to kick off in Cote d’Ivoire amid regional tensions
Flintlock 2022 will be taking place Feb. 15-28 in Cote d'Ivoire.
Chief Bass visited airmen in Niger amid ongoing violence in Africa’s Sahel
“In 2020, the Sahel saw a 44-percent increase in violent events in the region,” said Col. Daniel Kobs, commander of the 409th Air Expeditionary Group. “The threat is real."
US warns that Islamic State extremists still a world threat
The coalition is hoping to stabilize areas liberated from the Islamic State, repatriate and hold foreign fighters accountable and combat extremist messaging.
Top US general in Africa: ‘Wildfire of terrorism’ on march here
A stretch of continent, from the Sahel region to the Horn of Africa, concerns Gen. Stephen J. Townsend.
New four-star command allows US general to ‘coordinate closely’ with NATO allies in Africa
Close geography and economic ties between Africa and Europe means that regional security issues can quickly spread across the regions.
By Kyle Rempfer
France, West African leaders discuss fighting extremism
French and West African heads of state began a two-day summit Monday on the fight against Islamic extremists in Africa’s Sahel region.
Esper signs 10-year US military cooperation deal with Morocco
Morocco is a major non-NATO ally of the United States.
Why the US should spend 0.3 percent of its defense budget to prevent an African debacle
A small U.S. military investment in Africa provides the support of allies and partners, counterterrorism cooperation, and enough security to use American soft power, says the author of this commentary.
By Katherine Zimmerman
Efforts to combat violent extremist groups in Sahel region are ‘not getting the job done,’ says AFRICOM leader
“I do believe that if ISIS can carve out a new caliphate, or al-Qaida can, they will attempt to do it in West Africa,” U.S. Africa Command commander Army Gen. Stephen Townsend said.
By Diana Stancy