Using AFRICOM to Counter China's Aggressive African Policies
Abstract
The African continent provides an interesting case study for the future application of American power. Gone are the days of large-scale American invasions of Third World countries like Iraq or Afghanistan. Instead, American power is shifting toward more diplomatic and economic pressuring and posturing. Africa is currently the proving ground for this quasi-application, and the recent creation of U.S. Africa Command is the legitimization of this new approach. In the post-Cold War era, world powers must come up with real solutions to problems in the Third World, rather than sweeping them under the rug for what may seem to be the greater good. The emerging economic importance of several African nations must be nurtured and welcomed, but also watched closely. Threats to these developing economies (and democracies, in some cases) include terrorism, humanitarian crises, and influence from a possibly malintentioned China. U.S. AFRICOM faces these challenges on a daily basis, and must expand its role on the continent to ensure political and economic stability in support of U.S. policy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA559095
Entities
People
- Drew Petry
Organizations
- United States Air Force Academy