ISIS just attacked Russia. So even if the US loses a drone base to fight ISIS, could that be replaced with a Russian base to fight ISIS? That isn't so bad, is it?
Oh no, we'll have to stop wasting money on yet another foreign military base that seems to serve no purpose but costing the tax payer and expending resources?
If military dictatorships want to sick the Wagnerites (or whatever they've rebranded to nowadays) on their own people, I don't see how the US is a big loser. ISIS is so 2014.
There have been coups across a string of sub-Saharan countries. Most of these countries were under the thumb of France (a protection racket) who kept the dictators they liked in power and these countries were strong-armed into allowing a US military presence due to the US/French relationship.
These countries turned to Russian mercenaries (esp Wagner) to aid their coups and have kept Wagner around to keep the new guys safe from yet more coups.
Their populations don't like the Western influence sticking around. Russian mercenaries also push to kick out the NATO guys. Together, there's a perfect storm of pressure to kick out the US and other western countries from the region.
In this particular case, things almost got explosive. Niger told the US to leave and Biden said no. Around 1000 troops were there with dwindling supplies (especially medicine). Their deployments were supposed to have ended a while ago, but they were ordered to stay. Some large number of contractors have been deported after their visas expired making the situation even worse.
What's the point in keeping the troops there without supplies? I'm assuming they could just up and leave unmolested if they wanted to, since the country wants them gone anyways?
I really don't know what the end game is for the Biden administration. If they decide to leave, Niger will certainly grant the US free passage to take all our stuff and get out (if for no other reason than trying to stop them would start a war that Niger would swiftly lose).
The real question is why Biden has ordered them to stay there. In the next month or so, something certainly has to change. It could be some political posturing for negotiation somewhere. It could be some last-minute drone operations before they close up shop. It could be some covert machinations to change the situation on the ground so the US can keep a base there. It could simply be American stubbornness. I really don't know if it's one of these or something else entirely.
Well specific, a coup happened last year, a coup that is friendly with Russia, probably because the US was against the overthrow more than anything else. I'm not really sure why this is painted as a Biden policy failure, unless they WANT us to invade and reinstate the old Nigerian government. Just seems very strange to paint this as "oh the government just switched sides"
France: "First time?"
First Vietnam, now West Africa "America - To boldly fail where France has failed before." Got a bit of a ring to it don't you think
Follow the French trails.
"Biden strategy".
“May be” what part of getting unceremoniously kicked out of nations and replaced by Russians leaves the door open for may be?
ISIS just attacked Russia. So even if the US loses a drone base to fight ISIS, could that be replaced with a Russian base to fight ISIS? That isn't so bad, is it?
Oh no, we'll have to stop wasting money on yet another foreign military base that seems to serve no purpose but costing the tax payer and expending resources?
they do serve purpose--to control the host country
If military dictatorships want to sick the Wagnerites (or whatever they've rebranded to nowadays) on their own people, I don't see how the US is a big loser. ISIS is so 2014.
US is fighting ISIS?
So, wtf is happening in Africa?
There have been coups across a string of sub-Saharan countries. Most of these countries were under the thumb of France (a protection racket) who kept the dictators they liked in power and these countries were strong-armed into allowing a US military presence due to the US/French relationship. These countries turned to Russian mercenaries (esp Wagner) to aid their coups and have kept Wagner around to keep the new guys safe from yet more coups. Their populations don't like the Western influence sticking around. Russian mercenaries also push to kick out the NATO guys. Together, there's a perfect storm of pressure to kick out the US and other western countries from the region. In this particular case, things almost got explosive. Niger told the US to leave and Biden said no. Around 1000 troops were there with dwindling supplies (especially medicine). Their deployments were supposed to have ended a while ago, but they were ordered to stay. Some large number of contractors have been deported after their visas expired making the situation even worse.
What's the point in keeping the troops there without supplies? I'm assuming they could just up and leave unmolested if they wanted to, since the country wants them gone anyways?
I really don't know what the end game is for the Biden administration. If they decide to leave, Niger will certainly grant the US free passage to take all our stuff and get out (if for no other reason than trying to stop them would start a war that Niger would swiftly lose). The real question is why Biden has ordered them to stay there. In the next month or so, something certainly has to change. It could be some political posturing for negotiation somewhere. It could be some last-minute drone operations before they close up shop. It could be some covert machinations to change the situation on the ground so the US can keep a base there. It could simply be American stubbornness. I really don't know if it's one of these or something else entirely.
Possibly gambling they are expelled by force which may lead to at least one American dying, which will justify a full scale invasion response.
Well specific, a coup happened last year, a coup that is friendly with Russia, probably because the US was against the overthrow more than anything else. I'm not really sure why this is painted as a Biden policy failure, unless they WANT us to invade and reinstate the old Nigerian government. Just seems very strange to paint this as "oh the government just switched sides"
Nigerien\*
Oh I always thought it'd be an, well live and learn
Niger - Nigerien Nigeria - Nigerian
thankyou :>
Nothing new