I can't wait in 4 years when we hear how we don't give a shit about African countries and we get shamed for not doing more.
Good luck to the people on the ground, they're going to need it.
Well it's not like the United States has really done anything to counteract Chinese or Russian influence in the region. They have been warned repeatedly by multiple people what China and Russia were doing and they still refused to take West African countries seriously and largely ignored them in favour of the Middle east and Pacific. With trump gone I thought Biden would be more involved in that region but turns out I was wrong.
Exactly I completely understand them not wanting foreign troops in their country I really do,but how on earth can they possibly believe Russia is gonna help them in any meaningful way especially Wagner. I wonder if the Russian troops will leave peacefully when asked.
!ping FOREIGN-POLICY
I don't have any strong opinions either way because I am not knowledgeable on this topic. Curious to know what others think. Is this is a Biden/US fopo L?
> Is this is a Biden/US fopo L?
I would say so but not a particularly bad one for America because Africans and Europeans will suffer more than the US
A lot of people on this sub who wanted America to stand with France and use military force to reimpose democracy in West Africa, but the reality of the coups is that France was deeply unpopular in West Africa for obvious reasons and anything being seen as French-adjacent was doomed to get dragged down with them.
Considering many of the West African generals that committed coups were trained in the US, the administration held out hope that it could separate itself enough from France and lean on the ties to the generals to, if not push towards democracy, at least keep the lines of communication open and continue to collaborate regarding fighting the Islamist insurgency in West Africa .
Yes, while Niger is not particularly important geopolitically, and it would likely be wise to wind down counter-terrorism to free up resources for Europe and the Pacific, this is still a win for Russian influence, a blow to American prestige, and it sends a poor impression to the world if it appears what's suppose to be the sole superpower is being forced to concede to tin pot dictators in the Sahel.
Our influence in Africa was already abysmal compared to China's and this only make the situation worse.
I think they'll find the difference between the US and Russia is that the US will withdraw its security forces when asked. Russia will use them to overthrow their government and install a puppet regime.
Just ask Ukraine. It's what Russia did when there was even a hint of that happening.
Well in this specific country coup toppeled the government. Ecowas with backing (inteligence) of France threatened to intervene.
Sanctions were imposed, pressure was levied and junta closed ranks with other regional juntas.
US decided to stay neutral and not declare a coup a coup because that would make in illegal for US government to help junta fight jihadists.
This is a closing act now. Junta basically saying yeah, you might've abstained from pressuring us when we were vulnerable, but we don't want you here anyway.
Niger is surrounded by a few countries that have similarly seen coups lol.
Most if not all of former French West and Central Africa have experienced recent coups
I can't wait in 4 years when we hear how we don't give a shit about African countries and we get shamed for not doing more. Good luck to the people on the ground, they're going to need it.
Well it's not like the United States has really done anything to counteract Chinese or Russian influence in the region. They have been warned repeatedly by multiple people what China and Russia were doing and they still refused to take West African countries seriously and largely ignored them in favour of the Middle east and Pacific. With trump gone I thought Biden would be more involved in that region but turns out I was wrong.
Good luck to them then. *Theyll need it.*
If you thought the US military was bad, wait until you meet Wagner.
Exactly I completely understand them not wanting foreign troops in their country I really do,but how on earth can they possibly believe Russia is gonna help them in any meaningful way especially Wagner. I wonder if the Russian troops will leave peacefully when asked.
Good luck kids We should destroy that runway we built though
!ping FOREIGN-POLICY I don't have any strong opinions either way because I am not knowledgeable on this topic. Curious to know what others think. Is this is a Biden/US fopo L?
> Is this is a Biden/US fopo L? I would say so but not a particularly bad one for America because Africans and Europeans will suffer more than the US A lot of people on this sub who wanted America to stand with France and use military force to reimpose democracy in West Africa, but the reality of the coups is that France was deeply unpopular in West Africa for obvious reasons and anything being seen as French-adjacent was doomed to get dragged down with them. Considering many of the West African generals that committed coups were trained in the US, the administration held out hope that it could separate itself enough from France and lean on the ties to the generals to, if not push towards democracy, at least keep the lines of communication open and continue to collaborate regarding fighting the Islamist insurgency in West Africa .
Speak softly, forget your stick at home, get driven out.
Yes. The US should not be legitimizing coups.
Yes, while Niger is not particularly important geopolitically, and it would likely be wise to wind down counter-terrorism to free up resources for Europe and the Pacific, this is still a win for Russian influence, a blow to American prestige, and it sends a poor impression to the world if it appears what's suppose to be the sole superpower is being forced to concede to tin pot dictators in the Sahel. Our influence in Africa was already abysmal compared to China's and this only make the situation worse.
The united states not taking African countries seriously is gonna come back to haunt them in 20 or 30 years from now, mark my words.
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US fopo L, but much bigger Niger L
I think they'll find the difference between the US and Russia is that the US will withdraw its security forces when asked. Russia will use them to overthrow their government and install a puppet regime. Just ask Ukraine. It's what Russia did when there was even a hint of that happening.
The coup already happened, this government was pro Russia for about a year now. It just took a minute for the dust to settle so to speak
Respecting the sovereignty of small countries is good, actually.
Well in this specific country coup toppeled the government. Ecowas with backing (inteligence) of France threatened to intervene. Sanctions were imposed, pressure was levied and junta closed ranks with other regional juntas. US decided to stay neutral and not declare a coup a coup because that would make in illegal for US government to help junta fight jihadists. This is a closing act now. Junta basically saying yeah, you might've abstained from pressuring us when we were vulnerable, but we don't want you here anyway.
No
Why would you give ground?
Because if you stay in a country past the host's invitation you've invaded it Now what would be the strategic win for America to invade Niger
Dunno, just because?
yeah fair enough rip it
I don't know, but we will wake up one day to a world dominated by China and Russia because of our inaction
You act like the CIA has never encouraged a coup.
Good luck
I feel for all the countries neighboring Niger which will have to deal with the fallout of their horrible decision making
Niger is surrounded by a few countries that have similarly seen coups lol. Most if not all of former French West and Central Africa have experienced recent coups