The US military's failed efforts in Africa are under threat as part of a broader plan to reorganize the country's military presence in the Western Hemisphere.
President Donald Trump has touted the "Donroe Doctrine," a bastardized version of the Monroe Doctrine, which aimed to prevent European colonization and meddling in the region. Instead, Trump views his policy as license for America to dominate the area.
The new US National Security Strategy, released last month, emphasizes the importance of American power and priorities, with a focus on "readjusting" global military presence. This includes downsizing several major combatant commands and curtailing the power of their commanders.
One of the key changes proposed is the merger of Northern and Southern Commands into a single American Command, or AMERICOM, while merging European, Central, and African Commands into a single International Command. Indo-Pacific Command would remain separate.
This reorganization comes after months of threats against Venezuela and the abduction of its president, Nicolás Maduro. The US attack on Venezuela has proven that Trump's administration is serious about projecting power in the Western Hemisphere.
However, experts warn that this new approach will likely result in more setbacks and failures due to a lack of understanding of local societies and reliance on a one-size-fits-all militarized approach.
The US military's record in Africa is dismal, with failed counterterrorism efforts, rising militant attacks, and a humanitarian crisis. The region has seen an exponential increase in fatalities caused by terror groups, with Somalia and the Sahel experiencing more than 49,000 deaths over the past decade.
Critics argue that the US war on terror model only intensified violence in West Africa and failed to address root causes such as poverty. They believe that a new approach is needed, one that prioritizes diplomacy and cooperation with local nations rather than relying on military force.
As the US continues to threaten to subject Venezuela to additional attacks, experts say that the experience in West Africa holds an essential lesson for US actions in the Western Hemisphere. Waging war against "narco-terrorists" will cost many human lives and taxpayer dollars, with no strategic benefit.
The Intercept has long covered authoritarian governments, billionaire oligarchs, and backsliding democracies around the world. We understand the challenge we face in Trump and the vital importance of press freedom in defending democracy.
However, as a journalist, this information is alarming - it seems that the US military's failed efforts in Africa are just one part of a broader plan to reassert American power and dominance in the Western Hemisphere at any cost.
President Donald Trump has touted the "Donroe Doctrine," a bastardized version of the Monroe Doctrine, which aimed to prevent European colonization and meddling in the region. Instead, Trump views his policy as license for America to dominate the area.
The new US National Security Strategy, released last month, emphasizes the importance of American power and priorities, with a focus on "readjusting" global military presence. This includes downsizing several major combatant commands and curtailing the power of their commanders.
One of the key changes proposed is the merger of Northern and Southern Commands into a single American Command, or AMERICOM, while merging European, Central, and African Commands into a single International Command. Indo-Pacific Command would remain separate.
This reorganization comes after months of threats against Venezuela and the abduction of its president, Nicolás Maduro. The US attack on Venezuela has proven that Trump's administration is serious about projecting power in the Western Hemisphere.
However, experts warn that this new approach will likely result in more setbacks and failures due to a lack of understanding of local societies and reliance on a one-size-fits-all militarized approach.
The US military's record in Africa is dismal, with failed counterterrorism efforts, rising militant attacks, and a humanitarian crisis. The region has seen an exponential increase in fatalities caused by terror groups, with Somalia and the Sahel experiencing more than 49,000 deaths over the past decade.
Critics argue that the US war on terror model only intensified violence in West Africa and failed to address root causes such as poverty. They believe that a new approach is needed, one that prioritizes diplomacy and cooperation with local nations rather than relying on military force.
As the US continues to threaten to subject Venezuela to additional attacks, experts say that the experience in West Africa holds an essential lesson for US actions in the Western Hemisphere. Waging war against "narco-terrorists" will cost many human lives and taxpayer dollars, with no strategic benefit.
The Intercept has long covered authoritarian governments, billionaire oligarchs, and backsliding democracies around the world. We understand the challenge we face in Trump and the vital importance of press freedom in defending democracy.
However, as a journalist, this information is alarming - it seems that the US military's failed efforts in Africa are just one part of a broader plan to reassert American power and dominance in the Western Hemisphere at any cost.
this new strategy sounds super concerning... like they're gonna make things worse in africa instead of better 
i mean, the us military's record there is pretty bad already and now they wanna just merge all these commands together? that just seems like a recipe for disaster 
it's like they're not listening to local experts or anything 
what they need is more diplomacy and cooperation with african nations, not more american boots on the ground 
waging war against narco-terrorists is never gonna solve anything and it's just gonna cause more suffering 
let's hope trump doesn't follow through with this plan...
! The idea of merging commands and curtailing commanders' power sounds like a recipe for disaster 
. We need more cooperation with local nations, not just military force 
. Poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunities are the root causes of violence, not some simplistic approach to counterterrorism 
. We should focus on building strong relationships with our neighbors and addressing the underlying issues rather than just sending troops 
. It's time for a new approach that prioritizes diplomacy and human rights over military might 
#NotWar #PeaceOverPower
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. The US military's record in Africa is pretty dismal, if you ask me. We're always talking about diplomacy and cooperation, but when it comes down to it, we tend to throw our weight around instead of trying to work out a solution 
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, sounds like Trump's "Donroe Doctrine" is all about flexing America's muscles again... Interesting 
, experts think this new approach will only lead to more failure and chaos, like with their record in Africa 
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. And what about all those lives lost in West Africa? It feels like the US is more interested in projecting power than actually helping people 
the impact would be real. let's try this new approach with caution and some actual human lives on the line 
but nope its just the beginnin!! they got new plan 2 push american power & dominance thruout western hemisphere & its all coz of trump 
and btw whats with these new commands like AMERICOM & International Command?? sound like some kinda spy movie 
anywayz this is super alarming cos if us fails in africa, how much more gonna fail elsewhere? 
It sounds like they're trying to flex their muscles in the Western Hemisphere 
but it's not going to solve anything 
and this reorganization just seems like more of the same 
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Focusing on diplomacy and cooperation with local nations would be a better use of resources 
. And what's with all these 'new' doctrines 
and it's not okay 
. We need to see more focus on understanding local societies and addressing root causes like poverty 
, not just throwing more troops at the problem 
. We need a more nuanced approach to national security 
they should focus on solving poverty issues instead of trying 2 invade everyone lol 
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Not cool, dude.
... One that prioritizes diplomacy and cooperation with local nations. That way, we can actually address the root causes of conflict and find some real solutions. But instead, it seems like America is just going to keep on waging war and expecting everyone else to just bow down to their power 
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... I mean, on one hand, the idea of downsizing the military presence and prioritizing diplomacy is kinda appealing, you know? But then again, Trump's whole "America First" thing is pretty concerning, especially with him trying to dominate the region like that 
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. And it got me thinking, have you ever noticed how some TV shows can just transport you to another world without even trying? Like, Twin Peaks didn't even try to explain its weirdness, it just went with it 
. Anyway, back to Twin Peaks – I still haven't finished rewatching it, but that damn cherry pie is calling my name 
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