Large-Scale Land Acquisitions in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Intersection of American Strategic Interests, Economics, Security, and Politics

Abstract

This paper examines the recent and increasing trend of large-scale land acquisitions in the developing world. With a focus on sub-Saharan Africa, where the conditions for destabilization are prolific and a majority of the land deals occur, the objectives of this report are threefold: first, within the context of U.S. national security, foreign policy, and military strategy, demonstrate the relevance and significance of large-scale land acquisitions; second, highlight the countries of concern that have the most potential to destabilize under the conditions of large-scale land acquisitions and are of particular strategic interest to the United States; and third, using a case study in Ethiopia, demonstrate a geospatial analysis methodology that can be replicated by the intelligence community, NGOs, or governmental organizations to analyze the effects of particular acquisitions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA602726

Entities

People

  • Michael D. Keirstead

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Africa
  • Department Of State
  • Economics
  • Environment
  • Environmental Protection
  • Failed States
  • Foreign Policy
  • Governments
  • Intelligence Community
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • National Security
  • Saharan Africa
  • Terrorism
  • United States
  • United States Africa Command
  • Urban Areas

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Economics
  • Wetland-Land-Environmental Management.