Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: NormsRevenge

Do we really have to kick everyone’s butt in the world? What are our strategic interests in Africa?


5 posted on 10/27/2011 12:23:06 PM PDT by Molon Labbie ("It's free, swipe your EBT!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: Molon Labbie

Somalia Pirates.


10 posted on 10/27/2011 12:38:52 PM PDT by RitchieAprile
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

To: Molon Labbie
“What are our strategic interests in Africa?”

Oil or more correctly untapped oil reserves and removal of oil producers that don't want to play nice,economically speaking. Namely Iran who now accepts euros for their oil instead of only dollars. Once the troops are drawn down from Iraq I believe Israel will move on Iran. The ME will get very hot for awhile so we are looking to cultivate other sources of oil and hopefully displace China in the process.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Sudan#Oil
http://www.economist.com/node/15825780

16 posted on 10/27/2011 12:51:15 PM PDT by Polynikes (Hakkaa Palle)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

To: Molon Labbie
What are our strategic interests in Africa?

The Horn of Africa is a very strategic place through which large numbers of our Navy's ships and civilian shipping pass. There has been no functioning government in most of Somalia for a long time, which is why the pirates can operate. Plus, Al Qaeda has figured out they can operate there for the same reason.

We aren't, however, sending troops to Somalia. Not after the Mogadishu fiasco. Instead, friendly local countries, like Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda have been doing what they can to keep a lid on the situation. One reason we are helping Uganda with the Lord's Resistance Army, which is more of a gang of thugs than an army or liberation movement, is that they are helping us in Somalia.

Obama is a truly awful President, but not everything he does is wrong. Stopped clock and all that.

17 posted on 10/27/2011 12:54:49 PM PDT by colorado tanker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

To: Molon Labbie

Oil, as stated. Also gold and diamonds and other gems and minerals.


37 posted on 10/27/2011 2:06:16 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

To: Molon Labbie

The First Family has Brothers, Aunts and Uncles there.

African security is an American priority. We don’t want a member of the first family getting kidnapped.


40 posted on 10/27/2011 2:12:40 PM PDT by PA-RIVER
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

To: Molon Labbie

This is also about China. They just are not talking about it. China is moving into Africa bigtime. Leasing thousands and thousands of acres of farmland to grow crops etc.


50 posted on 10/27/2011 3:34:44 PM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

To: Molon Labbie

Somewhere between Uganda and Somoalia lies St. Mary’s Church...?


51 posted on 10/27/2011 3:41:42 PM PDT by EBH (God Humbles Nations, Leaders, and Peoples before He uses them for His Purpose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

To: Molon Labbie
Do we really have to kick everyone’s butt in the world? What are our strategic interests in Africa?

I suppose you can claim we're countering Chinese power in the region, but that's a stretch.

Maybe we should ask: What are the interests of the State Department and the Department of Defense in the region?

This kind of meddling strengthens DoD and DoS influence, gives them greater budgets and gives them more things to do.

And anyone who criticizes this patronage system is tarred as an isolationist.

52 posted on 10/27/2011 4:06:38 PM PDT by Dumb_Ox
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

To: Molon Labbie
"Do we really have to kick everyone’s butt in the world? What are our strategic interests in Africa"?

In the war on terror we have only a tactical interest.

However, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq and the smaller Gulf states have an existential interest in the Horn of Africa, as does Kenya.

We need to protect those regimes for 10 more years so that we can bring on domestic supplies of hydrocarbons.

We have Strategic Interests there by extension.

62 posted on 10/27/2011 7:13:20 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

To: Molon Labbie

Nigeria for starters.

Where the US is absent chaos produces huge problems for us and our interests across the globe like it or not. Not that I have any hope or expectation this idiot knows how to protect our interests. Quite the contrary.


66 posted on 10/27/2011 11:03:28 PM PDT by arrogantsob (Obama must Go.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

To: Molon Labbie
What are our strategic interests in Africa?

Cheap real world weapons testing. You blow up a few Africans to make sure the weapons systems can work in the field when operated by our troops before you buy a large contract supply of them from the manufacturer. It gives you honest feedback from the troops using the equipment and a realistic assessment of how effective the hardware is when deployed half a world away, and nobody gets hurt, ... excepting a few nobodies. /s

67 posted on 10/28/2011 12:16:50 AM PDT by ME-262 (We need Term Limits for the federal house and senate. We need new Bums up there.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

To: Molon Labbie
What are our strategic interests in Africa?

Same as our strategic interests in Afghanistan pre-911. The days when you could isolate yourself from your enemies are LONG gone. Al Qaeda can reach and a touch you from any place in the world.

Ain't technology grand?

77 posted on 10/28/2011 11:43:59 AM PDT by Smogger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson