An Alternative U.S. Military Strategy for Africa in a Post-Cold War World
Abstract
Over the past 30 years, most U.S. policy makers have considered Africa as a pawn in the East-West chess board. Basic to U.S.-Africa policy have been strategic concerns and the degree of perceived threats to U.S. vital interests. These include the vulnerability of Western shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean and around the Cape of Good Hope, access to strategic minerals, and facility of access to Middle East oil reserves through the Horn of Africa. Since there is evidence that in recent months Soviet policy towards Africa has shifted significantly, many U.S. Africa policy makers argue that the East-West chessboard perspective of U.S. political objectives needs to be reappraised. This reappraisal is based on the following: (1) the diminution of U.S.-Soviet tensions, (2) U.S. allies' repositioning of their Third World interests, (3) U.S. domestic budgetary constraints, and (4) increasing interests in U.S.-Africa policy by African American pressure groups. The new policy changes should emphasize the following: encouragement of peace and stability, promotion of economic and social development, encouragement of U.S.-Soviet cooperation in promoting African economic/social progress, increased support from allies (including Japan, Korea, and the European Community), and active support of a larger United Nations peacekeeping role in which the United States still exercises a significant presence. A revised U.S. military objective for Africa would focus on de-emphasizing Cold War politics, maintaining friendly relations with African governments to access key ports/air facilities and important defense-related commodities, increased use of Africa Civic Action and International Military Education and Training Programs, elimination of arms sales to African governments, including allies and the Soviet Union in cooperative development efforts, and linking any and all aid/assistance programs to the elimination of human rights abuses and institution of democratic reforms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA436976
Entities
People
- Shirley E. Barnes
Organizations
- National War College