full article (photograph mentioned in the text is in the link) i wonder when/if we'll take the war on terrorism to Africa? personally i hope not, but what's everyone else's opinion?
I'm pretty sure this is why we're setting up AFRICOM. Al-Qaida and its ilk thrive where there is little order and they can operate without fear of local prosecution. As the Middle East is becoming less favorable to Al-Qaida (Afghanistan's government is no longer sympathetic, Al-Qaida in Iraq is more-or-less smashed, Saudi Arabia is ruthlessly prosecuting them, etc.), it stands to reason they'll move to Africa. I read Barnett's book The Pentagon's New Map two or three years ago, and he predicted exactly that: Al-Qaida will take the show to Africa. Then we'll have to go drain the swamps in a few places there...
It makes sense, because much of Africa is already Muslim. And you talk about impoverished, disgruntled and generally having nothing to lose? Their recruiting offices will be full! Hey! Maybe we can have Al Quida battle the corrupt dictators and drug warlords! They wipe each other out and it's "win-win."
AFRICOM will be interesting. Because the intent there is about 98% diplomacy. The actual military presence of the command is supposed to be small. It is mostly going to be about nation-building. Helping foster diplomacy and possibly facilitating joint training exercises with African militarys to help them stabilize their nations. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out, but as a whole African nations are very skittish of colonialism, so we have to move delicately there.
