As a “Jack-of-all-trades” in Foreign Military Sales and security policy I can state unequivocally that AFRICOM has wasted a decade under less than stellar leadership. A continent in desperate need of strong leadership and guidance, has instead been forced to turn its eyes to China for a “fast buck” and limited security guarantees. The epitome of a “lost continent”.
Maybe Africa would be in better shape if the West stopped "helping".
Because, invariably, the "help" we give them is to destroy any political movement that might improve Africa's material conditions, because better living conditions mean higher wages and higher prices for natural resources.
Unless you can find a single meaningful exception - and I don't mean throwing a couple million towards AIDS prevention (after all, it's hard to exploit a decimated work force) when we are spending billions occupying them and propping up US oligarchy friendly despots willing to crush their own people for a cut of the profits.
"a stunning failure to improve or even preserve the security of the continent and the U.S."
You are making the mistake of thinking that security is what they were after.
The entire point of the America's post-WWII foreign policy is to prevent any resource rich nation from selfishly improving the material conditions of its population. By raising living standards, they are also raising the price of labor and natural resources.
How will the oligarchs afford their support yacht if they have to pay retail? You know, the yacht they need to support their other, bigger yacht that can't fit in the marina!
"Domino theory" was all about keeping costs down and profits up. Improved living conditions and higher wages for the workers means less obscene profits. A fair wage for a fair day's work is unamerican.
How long will it take before my head stops spinning from yet another instance of Congressional logic and military acumen? Actually I thought the general was quite candid and lucid in some of his remarks, to wit:
"These disruptions stem from entrenched corruption, slow economic development, weak democratic institutions, and limited strategic patience [whatever that means]."
"Public discontent has intensified, fueled by lingering frustrations with former colonial powers. Central governments, often overstretched, have struggled to counter insurgencies, address corruption, deliver essential services, and resolve inter-ethnic disputes over limited resources.”
Too bad he didn't elaborate for the record, if not the edification of the witless senators, that all the "disruptions", the intensifying "public discontent fueled by lingering frustrations with former colonial powers" that he listed stem from the "Scramble for Africa", the West's exploitation of Africa's resources, the genocides of its peoples, and the overthrow its governments. The 1904-1907 Herero and Namaqua Genocide by Germany, for example. Or how about the 1885-1960 colonization of the Congo by Belgium, which entailed the deaths of ten million people? Or the 1961 execution of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the newly independent Democratic Republic of the Congo, arranged by the CIA?
Yeah, it's conceivable there might be some "lingering frustrations," but no need to stress the senators over this point.
So this US general believes "that Africa is the epicenter of global terrorism" citing 13,000 dead on the entire African continent in the last year. Too bad he didn't look next door to Israel where Zionist terrorists have murdered far more than 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, trapped in Israel's Gaza concentration camp in little more than a year.
The world needs to see that humanity persists, that there is another way, and that despite everything, we will not stop fighting for a future built on dignity, justice, and peace for all. We can't do this alone and your support is crucial.
Amid the ongoing devastation in Gaza, we are here to say: the Israeli-Palestinian Joint Memorial Ceremony will take place this year. We will not bow to those who seek to silence us.
Every contribution goes directly toward production, logistics, and, most importantly, ensuring the safety and security of all participants and guests.
The ceremony is live streamed on 29th April 2025 at 8:30pm Jerusalem time. You can register online:
DAWN has urged the ICC prosecutor to investigate and prosecute former President Biden, State Secretary Blinken and Defense Secretary Austin for their personal roles in aiding and abetting Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Gaza as part of his ongoing investigation into the situations in Palestine since 2014.
Let’s give them our support. Maybe they will expand their complaint to include this latest US administration, and include all the leaders of the western nations supporting this genocide.
I believe studies have shown that rats in a maze learn faster than generals and politicians. How can it be we continue to elevate them, and follow them to what end?
As a “Jack-of-all-trades” in Foreign Military Sales and security policy I can state unequivocally that AFRICOM has wasted a decade under less than stellar leadership. A continent in desperate need of strong leadership and guidance, has instead been forced to turn its eyes to China for a “fast buck” and limited security guarantees. The epitome of a “lost continent”.
you work for DOD?
“Contracted through” would be more accurate…
Lost to whom? Western capitalists?
Maybe Africa would be in better shape if the West stopped "helping".
Because, invariably, the "help" we give them is to destroy any political movement that might improve Africa's material conditions, because better living conditions mean higher wages and higher prices for natural resources.
Unless you can find a single meaningful exception - and I don't mean throwing a couple million towards AIDS prevention (after all, it's hard to exploit a decimated work force) when we are spending billions occupying them and propping up US oligarchy friendly despots willing to crush their own people for a cut of the profits.
I'd love to be proved wrong. No one has yet.
"a stunning failure to improve or even preserve the security of the continent and the U.S."
You are making the mistake of thinking that security is what they were after.
The entire point of the America's post-WWII foreign policy is to prevent any resource rich nation from selfishly improving the material conditions of its population. By raising living standards, they are also raising the price of labor and natural resources.
How will the oligarchs afford their support yacht if they have to pay retail? You know, the yacht they need to support their other, bigger yacht that can't fit in the marina!
"Domino theory" was all about keeping costs down and profits up. Improved living conditions and higher wages for the workers means less obscene profits. A fair wage for a fair day's work is unamerican.
How long will it take before my head stops spinning from yet another instance of Congressional logic and military acumen? Actually I thought the general was quite candid and lucid in some of his remarks, to wit:
"These disruptions stem from entrenched corruption, slow economic development, weak democratic institutions, and limited strategic patience [whatever that means]."
"Public discontent has intensified, fueled by lingering frustrations with former colonial powers. Central governments, often overstretched, have struggled to counter insurgencies, address corruption, deliver essential services, and resolve inter-ethnic disputes over limited resources.”
Too bad he didn't elaborate for the record, if not the edification of the witless senators, that all the "disruptions", the intensifying "public discontent fueled by lingering frustrations with former colonial powers" that he listed stem from the "Scramble for Africa", the West's exploitation of Africa's resources, the genocides of its peoples, and the overthrow its governments. The 1904-1907 Herero and Namaqua Genocide by Germany, for example. Or how about the 1885-1960 colonization of the Congo by Belgium, which entailed the deaths of ten million people? Or the 1961 execution of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the newly independent Democratic Republic of the Congo, arranged by the CIA?
Yeah, it's conceivable there might be some "lingering frustrations," but no need to stress the senators over this point.
What are doing in Africa to begin with?
Uh, belated proofreading correction to last line, "What are WE doing in Africa to begin with?"
So this US general believes "that Africa is the epicenter of global terrorism" citing 13,000 dead on the entire African continent in the last year. Too bad he didn't look next door to Israel where Zionist terrorists have murdered far more than 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, trapped in Israel's Gaza concentration camp in little more than a year.
From Combatants for Peace:
The world needs to see that humanity persists, that there is another way, and that despite everything, we will not stop fighting for a future built on dignity, justice, and peace for all. We can't do this alone and your support is crucial.
Amid the ongoing devastation in Gaza, we are here to say: the Israeli-Palestinian Joint Memorial Ceremony will take place this year. We will not bow to those who seek to silence us.
Every contribution goes directly toward production, logistics, and, most importantly, ensuring the safety and security of all participants and guests.
The ceremony is live streamed on 29th April 2025 at 8:30pm Jerusalem time. You can register online:
https://form.jotform.com/250713298885065
You can support them here:
https://www.drove.com/campaign/67e136ebc7b99f39b8ccd657?emci=524b798a-ce0f-f011-90cd-0022482a9fb7&emdi=c73421bf-da0f-f011-90cd-0022482a9fb7&ceid=13999075
Petition for the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil.
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/demand-the-immediate-release-of-columbia-student-pro-palestine-advocate-mahmoud-khalil-from-dhs-detention
Microsoft action Microsoft workers oppose ties with Israel.
Take action with us — and support the Microsoft workers organizing to cut the company’s ties with Israel’s military
https://act.mpowerchange.org/go/71588?t=3&akid=10199%2E809623%2EH7UcG5
Microsoft and other tech partners, like Google and Amazon, are helping redefine the ugly underbelly of U.S. technology’s use in war.
We’ve set up a digital action where you can send emails to Microsoft leadership, including AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, with just a few clicks.
These reports of yours are so great.
DAWN has urged the ICC prosecutor to investigate and prosecute former President Biden, State Secretary Blinken and Defense Secretary Austin for their personal roles in aiding and abetting Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Gaza as part of his ongoing investigation into the situations in Palestine since 2014.
https://dawnmena.org/latest/
Let’s give them our support. Maybe they will expand their complaint to include this latest US administration, and include all the leaders of the western nations supporting this genocide.
I believe studies have shown that rats in a maze learn faster than generals and politicians. How can it be we continue to elevate them, and follow them to what end?