Russia Outplaying US in Africa

The Washington Post published a commentary on 17 September 2019 titled "How Vladimir Putin Is Outplaying the U.S. in Africa" by Grant T. Harris, former senior director for Africa in the Obama National Security Council, and Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia.

The authors argue that the Trump Administration's reduced engagement on the African continent has created new opportunities for Russia to move in. For example, following Western sanctions, Russia has signed 20 different military cooperation agreements with sub-Saharan African countries. The Trump administration's approach is heavy on criticism of Moscow and Beijing, and light on supporting the democratic and economic growth that would actually reduce Russian influence.