Debate Over US Military Drawdown in Africa

The Washington Post posted on 20 January 2020 an article titled "Pressure Builds against the Pentagon as It Weighs Reducing Troop Numbers in Africa" by Dan Lamothe and Danielle Paquette.

There is growing bipartisan opposition in the U.S. Congress to the Trump administration's proposal to reduce U.S. troop levels in Africa from their current level of more than 6,000. There is concern this is not the time to reduce troop numbers as China and Russia ramp up their engagement in Africa.

Almost on cue, the Military Times published a story titled "How AFRICOM Plans to Counter Russian, Chinese Influence in Africa" by Diana Stancy Correll.

U.S. AFRICOM's approach to the continent is to become the "partner of choice" by helping to build African capacity. Russia and China are more focused on arms sales.