Isn't there a gigantic $100,000,000 US drone base in Niger? I would think American (or French proxy) intervention would definitely happen if the US loses it's ability to randomly murder people in the Sahel with drone strikes.
One of my disappointments is the utter cynicism of American policy makers towards the third world.
We tout democracy as an American value, but our commitment is a mile wide and an inch deep.
Look at the recent cable that came out about the State Department urging Pakistani officials to "remove" Imran Khan.
And our outrage that the Russians might have tried to sway our elections (turned out that it was the Hillary campaign, Comey, 50 former intelligence officers, and the FBI).
And look at the Republican response to the 2020 election.
Actually that cynicism in Washington is towards all democracy, not just third world democracy.
Looking at that stripe of red across Africa, my first thought was, “All this countries are so unstable because their traditional way of life is disrupted by climate change, and the people literally do not know what to do.” The herders are pushed further and further south in search of grass and water, and the small farmers who are struggling to make the dry ground produce, resent the intrusion and assumptions that the people from the north deserve to have their needs met regardless of the impact on the current occupiers of any particular valley. This article discusses politics and power changing hands, but I didn’t notice much about the plans any of the new “leaders” might have for actually helping the people cope with the long term problems of displacement, loss of property and income, and cultural stability.7
“success will hinge on whether there are powerful and stable enough elite factions in the affected countries interested in long-term state-building. Absent this, there is only so much outsiders can do “. Refreshing realism Ken. Great insights.
Ken, do they have access to local technocrats, or is talent scarce?
Isn't there a gigantic $100,000,000 US drone base in Niger? I would think American (or French proxy) intervention would definitely happen if the US loses it's ability to randomly murder people in the Sahel with drone strikes.
Really excellent and informative. Thanks so much. Is the Wagner Group really in a position to play a role here if they are so inclined?
One of my disappointments is the utter cynicism of American policy makers towards the third world.
We tout democracy as an American value, but our commitment is a mile wide and an inch deep.
Look at the recent cable that came out about the State Department urging Pakistani officials to "remove" Imran Khan.
And our outrage that the Russians might have tried to sway our elections (turned out that it was the Hillary campaign, Comey, 50 former intelligence officers, and the FBI).
And look at the Republican response to the 2020 election.
Actually that cynicism in Washington is towards all democracy, not just third world democracy.
Looking at that stripe of red across Africa, my first thought was, “All this countries are so unstable because their traditional way of life is disrupted by climate change, and the people literally do not know what to do.” The herders are pushed further and further south in search of grass and water, and the small farmers who are struggling to make the dry ground produce, resent the intrusion and assumptions that the people from the north deserve to have their needs met regardless of the impact on the current occupiers of any particular valley. This article discusses politics and power changing hands, but I didn’t notice much about the plans any of the new “leaders” might have for actually helping the people cope with the long term problems of displacement, loss of property and income, and cultural stability.7
One word - tribalism!
“success will hinge on whether there are powerful and stable enough elite factions in the affected countries interested in long-term state-building. Absent this, there is only so much outsiders can do “. Refreshing realism Ken. Great insights.