At Antiwar.com, Dave DeCamp regularly reports on Pentagon activities in Africa. Repetitive air strikes is the theme, together with lack of clear progress. AFRICOM is no longer allowed to comment on specific casualties--a handy policy. You don't even need the euphemism "collateral damage."
Many years ago there was an excellent documentary called "Good Kurds, Bad Kurds." One day they're considered allies, the next they're "the enemy." Look at all these supposed "terrorist groups," most alleged to be Islamic extremists. They sprout like mushrooms after a good rain. One day Group X is "the enemy," the next they've been awarded governance of Syria!! With the full assistance/blessing of the US. Can any other nation match the cynical hypocrisy of USA??
Ken Opalo has written before on his substack, Africanist Perspective, looking at the dynamics around Somalia civil war. It's a complex mess with multiple competing actors and states involved. Exactly the kind of situation that bombs can't address. And our default of arming everyone against islamists is not helping anywhere in Africa.
Everything the U.S. does - even blind support for Israel - is driven by its overall strategy of preventing the rise of any peer power (specifically China, Russia, and Iran); basically the multi-polar world will not be allowed to rise.
The U.S. never cared about Africa until China started investing there. Now we have an Africa Command - leading to more wars and death in a continent that has long suffered from the 'enlightened West'.
Somalia provides control of sea lanes into the Red Sea, around the Cape of Good Hope, and east toward China. A U.S. base there would put the Indian Ocean under further control of the U.S.
China is upgrading its relationship with Somalia to Strategic Partnership. China has invested in Somali developments, and I think Somalia is part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
And even without actual Chinese presence, the U.S.empire still has a score to settle with Somalia over Task Force Ranger in 1993.
Thanks TomR... The Chinese have been in the Great Power Game for Millennia... They Think In Generations.... Our Demented Orange Emperor thinks Moment-2-Moment... Notice that Xi hasn't had a Meeting with DJT yet?...
Remember back in 2001 when General Wesley Clark said the plan was to take out 7 countries. Iraq first before taking action against Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iran, Somalia and Sudan. The original plan was for it to happen in 5 years. Of course it's taken a lot longer, but they are still working on it. Here's Gen. Clark discussing it:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAnNJW9_KYA
This should not come as a surprise to any of us. In a "for-profit-ONLY system" (on steroids) to the exclusion/detriment of its own citizens, a (relatively) few people figured out how to make killing other members of our species extremely profitable (...for those same few).
The important part, I feel, is that they figured out how to make it QUICKLY profitable. Capitalism seems to want only quick results for profit, and thus discards long-term vision... which is also why nothing is ever going to be done about our ensuing climate catastrophe until it's far too late (and, as just one of many examples, why we'll be choking ever-more heavily, here in the northeast U.S, New England area, and certain to be elsewhere of course, on thick hazy Canadian wildfire smoke). So "quickly" is the operative word.
Hey... perhaps if "peace" could be made QUCKLY profitable then there might be a rapid transition to that instead... but the system is already FAR too invested in "killing for profit" to change course, to even consider, allow into its consciousness, alternatives... ways to make peace profitable (and this is of course just one of the VERY MANY problems with capitalism).
Very astute observations. Profit before people stands as the unofficial slogan (the REALITY) of Capitalism. When the last billionaire succumbs to the effects of the Climate Catastrophe, it will be rather too late to get a good belly laugh out of the IRONY of that situation.
The lack of ability to even recognize IRONY, let alone appreciate it, among contemporary politicians and many journalists, as well, has forced me to become something of an expert on the subject.
re: your penultimate paragraph, kindly exclude me from "WE used 60 tons of bombs" (should read "the US military used..."). And reference should be to "14 ALLEGED terrorists." We know who the planet's REAL extremely dangerous terrorists are, since we live among them. That said, yes, the Red Sea is crucially important for shipping crude oil. But US activities on African continent extend well inland from that region. But only disasters, when US Special Ops personnel get killed, make the news, when coverup efforts fail. The US Ruling Class is determined to try to counter the advances in building good relationships with African nations China has notched in recent years. Get "smart"?? In the US military, that means "get with the program and don't ask questions." "Smart bombs," well, that's a different story. And they still don't bring the US military victories because the will to resist foreign intervention, thank goodness, has not been exterminated.
As a Johnny-one note all I can say is what I always say, we need to bug out of the world and pursue a neutralist foreign polcy, and more, especially a neutralist ethos.
One of the more farcical bits of nonsense from Trump is "putting America first." Well, when has that NOT been a US goal, in terms of reaping economic gain? Just as the term "populist" has been permanently polluted by being associated only with the likes of The Donald, so "isolationism" has been grossly misapplied to his foreign policy (and all his policies seem to change from day to day, depending on how foul a mood he's in!). Dr. Jeffrey Sachs recently opined [sorry, I don't have a link to post; it was an interview by a Chinese publication] that US foreign policy is floundering badly. This century belongs to China and other rising formerly colonized regions. "Isolationism"? Not as long as there are resources still available elsewhere to exploit.
It's another diversion. Who were we supposed to care about before Ukraine? Was it Afghanistan? I don't rightly recall. But then it was Gaza. Next it'll be Somalia. In other words, places nobody in America really gave a damn about until the media got involved in the course of doing their job as Pentagon cheerleaders. There'll always be another "hot spot" or "humanitarian crisis" that only American might and moral fiber can sort out. And we'll reference blogs and podcasts that will condemn the American Empire time and again as the purveyors of all the evils of the world, filling us with righteous indignation that never dissipates: It's now been 80 years since Hiroshima and Nagasaki but we're still going on about them. Meanwhile, America is in a death spiral but that doesn't seem to merit anyone's concern. One day in the not too distant future, it's all gonna be gone and everyone's going to stand around wondering where it went.
War in Somalia! This is a leading indicator all the foreign US Wars will be coming home to roost on American Streets sooner than expected;
'Foreign banks skip $42B 10 yr bond auction with no explanation. Treasury pushes supply despite saying it wouldn’t'
The U.S. Treasury just tried to borrow $42 billion in a 10-year auction. The auction tailed. Demand was soft. Foreign banks didn’t show. The bonds cleared at 4.255%, nearly 0.01% above trader expectations. The US is so rich. other Nations won't lend it money for being too risky!
At Antiwar.com, Dave DeCamp regularly reports on Pentagon activities in Africa. Repetitive air strikes is the theme, together with lack of clear progress. AFRICOM is no longer allowed to comment on specific casualties--a handy policy. You don't even need the euphemism "collateral damage."
Here are a few links:
https://news.antiwar.com/2025/08/03/us-launches-airstrikes-against-al-shabaab-during-major-battle-in-somalia/
https://news.antiwar.com/2025/07/27/somalia-us-carries-out-airstrikes-against-al-shabaab-conducts-raid-against-isis-affiliate/
https://news.antiwar.com/2025/07/23/us-backed-somali-army-melts-in-face-of-al-shabaab-offensive-despite-billions-in-international-support/
https://news.antiwar.com/2025/07/23/trump-launched-nearly-as-many-airstrikes-in-five-months-as-biden-did-in-four-years/
https://news.antiwar.com/2025/07/15/us-africa-command-says-it-has-launched-51-airstrikes-in-somalia-so-far-this-year/
https://news.antiwar.com/2025/07/13/us-launches-its-49th-airstrike-of-the-year-in-somalia/
https://news.antiwar.com/2025/07/07/us-launches-airstrike-in-somalias-puntland-region-2/
https://news.antiwar.com/2025/07/03/us-launches-series-of-airstrikes-during-major-battle-between-us-backed-force-and-al-shabaab-in-somalia/
https://news.antiwar.com/2025/07/01/us-launches-its-44th-airstrike-in-somalia-this-year/
Many years ago there was an excellent documentary called "Good Kurds, Bad Kurds." One day they're considered allies, the next they're "the enemy." Look at all these supposed "terrorist groups," most alleged to be Islamic extremists. They sprout like mushrooms after a good rain. One day Group X is "the enemy," the next they've been awarded governance of Syria!! With the full assistance/blessing of the US. Can any other nation match the cynical hypocrisy of USA??
Cynical hypocrisy? Surely you mean "benevolent guidance." :-)
Well, you know, I've NEVER been "with the program"!! :-)
Ken Opalo has written before on his substack, Africanist Perspective, looking at the dynamics around Somalia civil war. It's a complex mess with multiple competing actors and states involved. Exactly the kind of situation that bombs can't address. And our default of arming everyone against islamists is not helping anywhere in Africa.
Everything the U.S. does - even blind support for Israel - is driven by its overall strategy of preventing the rise of any peer power (specifically China, Russia, and Iran); basically the multi-polar world will not be allowed to rise.
The U.S. never cared about Africa until China started investing there. Now we have an Africa Command - leading to more wars and death in a continent that has long suffered from the 'enlightened West'.
Somalia provides control of sea lanes into the Red Sea, around the Cape of Good Hope, and east toward China. A U.S. base there would put the Indian Ocean under further control of the U.S.
"The U.S. never cared about Africa until China started investing there."
Well, a slight correction is in order, Tom, we were interested enough in Congo back in 1960 when Patrice Lamumba became the victim of the first ever order of the US to assassinate a foreign leader https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/10/17/patrice-lumumba-congo-washington-00121755 two days before Kennedy’s inauguration...
... followed by the death of U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold in a plane crash again in Congo on Sept. of 1961 https://www.kennedysandking.com/articles/midnight-in-the-congo-the-assassination-of-lumumba-and-the-mysterious-death-of-dag-hammarskjold
Talk about the long arm of the (out)law...
Hello TomR... Yes, what are the Chinese doing in Somalia... Facts On The Ground Matter...
China is upgrading its relationship with Somalia to Strategic Partnership. China has invested in Somali developments, and I think Somalia is part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
And even without actual Chinese presence, the U.S.empire still has a score to settle with Somalia over Task Force Ranger in 1993.
Thanks TomR... The Chinese have been in the Great Power Game for Millennia... They Think In Generations.... Our Demented Orange Emperor thinks Moment-2-Moment... Notice that Xi hasn't had a Meeting with DJT yet?...
Remember back in 2001 when General Wesley Clark said the plan was to take out 7 countries. Iraq first before taking action against Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iran, Somalia and Sudan. The original plan was for it to happen in 5 years. Of course it's taken a lot longer, but they are still working on it. Here's Gen. Clark discussing it:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAnNJW9_KYA
Linking your article as usual @https://nothingnewunderthesun2016.com/
Good point! Yes, I remember that video. It's gone so well, hasn't it?
I turn to the Black Agenda Report and the Black Alliance for Peace for news on what is happening in Africa. Here is an article on Kenya and US Neo-colonialism: https://blackallianceforpeace.com/bapstatements/kenyacrisisusneocolonialism
Thanks!
Thanks for asking for suggestions. I enjoy reading from many perspectives.
""It seems like the goal is permanent war""
This should not come as a surprise to any of us. In a "for-profit-ONLY system" (on steroids) to the exclusion/detriment of its own citizens, a (relatively) few people figured out how to make killing other members of our species extremely profitable (...for those same few).
The important part, I feel, is that they figured out how to make it QUICKLY profitable. Capitalism seems to want only quick results for profit, and thus discards long-term vision... which is also why nothing is ever going to be done about our ensuing climate catastrophe until it's far too late (and, as just one of many examples, why we'll be choking ever-more heavily, here in the northeast U.S, New England area, and certain to be elsewhere of course, on thick hazy Canadian wildfire smoke). So "quickly" is the operative word.
Hey... perhaps if "peace" could be made QUCKLY profitable then there might be a rapid transition to that instead... but the system is already FAR too invested in "killing for profit" to change course, to even consider, allow into its consciousness, alternatives... ways to make peace profitable (and this is of course just one of the VERY MANY problems with capitalism).
Just throwing that out there.
Very astute observations. Profit before people stands as the unofficial slogan (the REALITY) of Capitalism. When the last billionaire succumbs to the effects of the Climate Catastrophe, it will be rather too late to get a good belly laugh out of the IRONY of that situation.
""too late to get a good belly laugh out of the IRONY...""
So true (and so unfortunate and sad).
The lack of ability to even recognize IRONY, let alone appreciate it, among contemporary politicians and many journalists, as well, has forced me to become something of an expert on the subject.
re: your penultimate paragraph, kindly exclude me from "WE used 60 tons of bombs" (should read "the US military used..."). And reference should be to "14 ALLEGED terrorists." We know who the planet's REAL extremely dangerous terrorists are, since we live among them. That said, yes, the Red Sea is crucially important for shipping crude oil. But US activities on African continent extend well inland from that region. But only disasters, when US Special Ops personnel get killed, make the news, when coverup efforts fail. The US Ruling Class is determined to try to counter the advances in building good relationships with African nations China has notched in recent years. Get "smart"?? In the US military, that means "get with the program and don't ask questions." "Smart bombs," well, that's a different story. And they still don't bring the US military victories because the will to resist foreign intervention, thank goodness, has not been exterminated.
As a Johnny-one note all I can say is what I always say, we need to bug out of the world and pursue a neutralist foreign polcy, and more, especially a neutralist ethos.
One of the more farcical bits of nonsense from Trump is "putting America first." Well, when has that NOT been a US goal, in terms of reaping economic gain? Just as the term "populist" has been permanently polluted by being associated only with the likes of The Donald, so "isolationism" has been grossly misapplied to his foreign policy (and all his policies seem to change from day to day, depending on how foul a mood he's in!). Dr. Jeffrey Sachs recently opined [sorry, I don't have a link to post; it was an interview by a Chinese publication] that US foreign policy is floundering badly. This century belongs to China and other rising formerly colonized regions. "Isolationism"? Not as long as there are resources still available elsewhere to exploit.
Neutralism is not isolationism.
Came to say what Aunty Jean already said. Black Agenda Report is the place for news on Africa and Africom. https://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php/articlelist/africa
Here's a page of articles: https://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php/articlelist/africa
It's another diversion. Who were we supposed to care about before Ukraine? Was it Afghanistan? I don't rightly recall. But then it was Gaza. Next it'll be Somalia. In other words, places nobody in America really gave a damn about until the media got involved in the course of doing their job as Pentagon cheerleaders. There'll always be another "hot spot" or "humanitarian crisis" that only American might and moral fiber can sort out. And we'll reference blogs and podcasts that will condemn the American Empire time and again as the purveyors of all the evils of the world, filling us with righteous indignation that never dissipates: It's now been 80 years since Hiroshima and Nagasaki but we're still going on about them. Meanwhile, America is in a death spiral but that doesn't seem to merit anyone's concern. One day in the not too distant future, it's all gonna be gone and everyone's going to stand around wondering where it went.
War in Somalia! This is a leading indicator all the foreign US Wars will be coming home to roost on American Streets sooner than expected;
'Foreign banks skip $42B 10 yr bond auction with no explanation. Treasury pushes supply despite saying it wouldn’t'
The U.S. Treasury just tried to borrow $42 billion in a 10-year auction. The auction tailed. Demand was soft. Foreign banks didn’t show. The bonds cleared at 4.255%, nearly 0.01% above trader expectations. The US is so rich. other Nations won't lend it money for being too risky!
https://citizenwatchreport.com/foreign-banks-skip-42b-10-yr-bond-auction-with-no-explanation-treasury-pushes-supply-despite-saying-it-wouldnt/
Hello Ray... We'll See More Of That As DJT's BBB Kicks In... DJT has Bankrupted every Business he has been in exempting Mar-a-Lago thus far....