Daphne Hall on US Counterterrorism efforts
Daphne Hall
US Counterterrorism efforts
Claims and stances
Transcript
- 0:00 Hey, today I'm gonna talk about why I think US counterterrorism efforts should be shifted from the Middle East or focus on them should be shifted from the Middle East into Africa, specifically the Sahel region.
- 0:13 I think the United States is so stuck on a post 200 um like 9-11 um counterterrorism efforts and this war on terror that was so centered in the Middle East that they're neglecting other parts of the world.
- 0:32 A lot of these terrorist organizations have spin-offs and offshoots of them that are moving more towards the Sahel region of Africa and are causing detrimental issues there, um, as well as to the rest of the world.
- 0:46 You have organizations like Islamic State in Greater Sahara and Boko Haram who are overtaking these nations and filling this power vacuum um in a negative way.
- 0:59 So a lot of these countries are already um facing a lot of issues, are very fragile and are facing potential failure.
- 1:07 Um, and these terrorist organizations are able to step in, fill that power vacuum and provide those resources, but with negative connotations.
- 1:15 Um I think these terrorist attacks become a lot more common.
- 1:19 Um, and I think that while US counterterrorism efforts they have had some in Africa, they have not had enough.
- 1:26 Um, especially when USAID got dismantled.
- 1:30 A lot of the counterterrorism efforts in Africa were focused on um development because with more development comes less terrorism.
- 1:38 However, without USAID, there's a lack of that, which is making the environment for terrorists um better.
- 1:46 And then I also think that US strategy or strategic interests in the Middle East are greatly declining.
- 1:51 Um the US is now the top one oil producer in the world.
- 1:54 We don't need the Middle East in the way that we used to.
- 1:58 Um, and then also in this great power competition with China, Africa is the new playing field.
- 2:04 And if the United States can show um dominance there, they can be ahead on this great power competition.
- 2:10 So I think overall it's not about completely moving um counterterrorism efforts, but it's more about shifting the central focus.