Expeditionary Strike Group and the Gulf of Guinea
Abstract
The Global War on Terrorism effort in Africa has focused mainly on the northeast in the Horn of Africa, but increased attention should be given to West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. The region has many characteristics that make it an appealing venue to terrorist organizations, but it also has emerging strategic value to the United States, as it will be a major producer of oil in the near future. For these reasons, the United States will increase its presence in the Gulf of Guinea, and the most suitable and likely force to operate there is the Expeditionary Strike Group. There are numerous ongoing issues in the Gulf of Guinea that are important to the economic and security interests of the United States. It is anticipated that 25 percent of the oil supplied to the United States in 2015 will come from the Gulf of Guinea. U.S. oil companies are currently spending billions of dollars on oil infrastructure in the region. However, widespread poverty, ethnic strife, and systemic government corruption have destabilized the region and subsequently pose a threat to its oil industry. These threats have historically materialized in the form of infrastructure destruction, piracy, or kidnapping, but there is increasing concern that regional conditions, coupled with the lucrative targets presented by American financed oil facilities, will draw terrorists into the region. The conflicts in the Gulf of Guinea are important to U.S. interests and values. These conflicts are numerous and complex and require external attention to resolve, as they are beyond the power of their government leaders to resolve. As such, persistent U.S. military presence in the region could have a stabilizing effect. The ESG's mobility and full-spectrum operational capabilities in the littorals make it the most suitable and likely force to conduct operations in the region.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA506424
Entities
People
- Bruce W. Laughlin
Organizations
- Marine Corps University