Africa, Great Power Competition, and the US Navy

[Kaito Higashi]

This article talks about Russian and Chinese pressure on African countries and how the U.S. must prevent that at all costs. The most important reason is because Africa is well-positioned for economic and industrial expansion. The article states, "China and Russia are opportunists who will seek to destabilize and exploit the continent for their own national priorities". I definitely agree that the U.S. should prevent China and Russia from taking advantage of African countries at all costs, but also do not think the U.S. should control them either. The U.S. should help the countries grow economically, but not take advantage of them. 

https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2019/09/africa-great-power-competition-and-us-navy/159828/

[Ryan McGauley]

Before reading this article I did not know that China was such a large debt holder for African countries and that they are the second largest supplier of weapons to African nations.  This indicates the increasing degree of power China is having over Africa and shows China’s ability to forgive loans in exchange for greater control over territory. At the same time Russia is ensuring their access to mineral rights in Africa in exchange for Russian weapons.  One thing to look for in the future are more conflicts between the U.S. and China in African territorial waters, and whether China will increase its Navy’s presence in the region to protect its interests.

[Lance Hanse]

This article starts by addressing some of the upsides Africa offers in terms of economic and industrial expansion. The article then goes on to note the amount of money china is investing in Africa and why it is relevant. Before reading the article I was not aware of the power that the Chinese has in the region. Not only do they control territory but they can leverage the money to control these less powerful nations. Deeper into the article it covers the fact that relations with the US are growing and its quite beneficial because they are coming to see the United States as a partner of choice. I think we should put as much money as we can afford in terms of investing and working with African countries. As their economies improve ours will as well. 

On Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 3:35:36 AM UTC-5, Kaito Higashi wrote:

[Robbie Bland]

I am forever fascinated by the competition between world powers to influence the world around them, and this article by the Commander of US Naval Forces demonstrates the United States' position against China and Russia over the continent of Africa. The United States recognizes exploitative foul-play on the part of China through China's loan-debt diplomacy that sees China forgive massive loans in exchange for concrete influence over a region or country. Meanwhile, Russia snuggles up with autocrats and engages in the selling of weapons in exchange for mineral rights. While pointing out how these nations exploit the continent, the Naval Commander touts the US' positive influence of the region with the example of Djibouti's United States military base and it's impact on the nation's economy.

It is imperative we remember that the United States has a political interest in painting two of it's biggest geopolitical rivals as exploitative while the USA is a "good-guy". I am curious to see what the other side of the argument for U.S. influence in Djibouti is, considering the base is "14 percent of Djibouti’s gross domestic product". Might Djibouti feel some political pressure or "debt" to the U.S. over their economy's seeming dependence on U.S. resources?

On Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 3:35:36 AM UTC-5, Kaito Higashi wrote:

[Katherine C Leppert]

The opening line of this article reads “Russia and China want to leverage Africa's people and resources. U.S. Naval Forces Africa aspires to work with African partners to bring about a secure and prosperous continent.”

I wholeheartedly agree with the author in that Africa’s potential as a growing power will only be fully executed and realized if it can strengthen its security instructions (nationally, regionally and locally). With a fast-growing population (1/4 of the global population will live in Africa by 2050), Africa holds a lot of economic potential that opportunistic countries like Russia and China are already capitalizing on, so I believe the US’s non-exploitive approach that this article claims will be crucial for Africa. It is foolish to believe that the US wants no part in Africa’s growing economies, but I hope the US prioritizes a stable, secure Africa fully investing in the Economic rivalry for Africa.

On Oct 10, 2019, at 6:57 AM, Robbie Bland <blandcl...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Justin J Ng]

The article talks about power competition in the world. It expands on the topic by giving reasons why economically, Africa is on track to grow and fill the gap between other countries. Even though it is a competition for power, countries often find ways to help out other countries. The article brings up how the United States is mutually benefiting from helping Africa without exploiting them.

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[Michael Modesett]

This article covers why the United States is a better partner for African countries than the other world super powers- China and Russia. The article sites strong arm tactics done by the Chinese by leveraging debt borrowed by the Sri Lanka government to obtain 15,000 acres of Sri Lanka and a sea port. The author of the piece is clearly worried about the Chinese doing the same thing to Africa especially since the loans to Africa have tripled since 2012. Furthermore, the Russian government which is run by oligarchs is not much better than China and has been doing deals in Africa which heavily favor themselves. For example, Russian military weapons have been traded for mineral rights throughout Africa. Clearly, in the coming years Africa must decide who to ally with and the choice seems obvious. 

On Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 3:35:36 AM UTC-5, Kaito Higashi wrote: