Niger
Even as the Islamic State wanes in the Middle East, its offshoots are growing stronger and having their deadliest year ever in West and Central Africa.
Eighteen hours before a Pentagon press conference about the Niger incident, Special Operators were in the midst of an ‘advise and assist’ mission that allegedly killed civilians.
It’s impossible to separate the traffic in humans, the traffic in drugs, and the ambitions of Al Qaeda and ISIS. They are all part of the same picture.
In a letter, the commander of U.S. Special Forces in Africa cautions them to take fewer risks, use better judgement. NCIS investigators have been called to investigate a massacre.
A series of incidents involving Special Operations Forces in Africa raises questions about oversight, effectiveness, and whether a coherent strategy exists at all.
The strategy of ISIS and al Qaeda in Africa is to offer local law and order and basic support services while building hate for the U.S. In Niger, in Tongo Tongo, it worked.
With his attacks on a Gold Star widow and her congresswoman, Trump’s hoping his base enjoys seeing him put a woman ‘back in her place.’ That may not work in a post-Weinstein world.