Post #528

🔵U.S. Bureau of African Affairs Reveals Its Strategy🔵 A unique offer—two news stories in one! First, a State Department official revealed the US strategy for Africa. Second, there essentially is no strategy. ➡️ In a new interview with Semafor, the head of the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs attempts to outline what the US plans to do in Africa. First the US won’t engage in all-out competition with China across the board. This is considered pointless and too costly. Instead, the US intends to displace Chinese influence in key areas—primarily in mineral extraction and supply chain projects. ➡️ Second, the era of moralizing and unconditional aid is over: it’s all about mutual benefit and equal investment in projects now. Even humanitarian programs will now be evaluated through the lens of political and economic returns. 🔴With a lot of African countries, [we] went in and were lecturing, moralizing about different things. And that’s not what they want to hear. Security, economic growth—that’s what they want. ❓ ...And, that's it. No fine-tuned approach, no region-specific details. A year into this administration, they still haven’t decided which countries are priorities — and Africa as a whole remains a secondary focus. The Bureau's head may have chosen not to reveal much, but, from what he told journalists, Washington seemingly knows what it doesn't want to do, but has no fresh vision. Instead of a strategy, there is opportunism — or a "ready, fire, aim" approach. US is more likely to grab whatever projects come its way than to actively seek out strategic opportunities. ➡️ Stay informed - @devilsbelow