John Bolton outlines U.S. African strategy to challenge China, Russia

Washington Times ^ | 12/24/2018 | Carlo Munoz

[SeekAndFind]

The Trump administration on Thursday announced a sharp refocus of its Africa strategy to counter what it called the “predatory” practices of China and Russia, moves which National Security Adviser John Bolton said “deliberately and aggressively targeting their investments in the region to gain a competitive advantage.”

Speaking at the conservative Heritage Foundation,Mr. Bolton said that curbing Moscow and Beijing’s growing influence in Africa will be the White House’s top objective in the region.

“Great-power competitors, namely China and Russia, are rapidly expanding their financial and political influence across Africa,” Mr. Bolton said Thursday. “They are deliberately and aggressively targeting their investments in the region to gain a competitive advantage over the United States.”

For over a decade, China has outpaced the U.S. and its allies in currying favor and investment opportunities among African nations, though what Mr. Bolton said were “bribes, opaque agreements, and the strategic use of debt to hold states in Africa captive to Beijing’s wishes and demands.”

Under the new “Prosper Africa” strategy, Mr. Bolton said, “we will encourage African leaders to choose high-quality, transparent, inclusive, and sustainable foreign investment projects, including those from the United States.”

More recently, Moscow has used its military influence, including weapons deals or military adviser forces deployed to autocratic African regimes, “that keep strongmen in power, undermine peace and security, and run counter to the best interests of the African people,” Mr. Bolton added.

Mr. Bolton said previous U.S. administrations failed to fashion a coordinated approach to Africa.

“There has been an uneven appreciation of Africa,” he told reporters after his Heritage remarks. “It did not fit cohesively in American foreign policy goals.”

Trump administration’s policy readjustment toward Africa will take on a prominent role as the White House reviews U.S. foreign aid programs.

[bgill]

What’s the exchange rate for a bazillion dollar Zimbabwe note? About a quarter US. Must be way less for a Chinese yuan.

[Midwesterner53]

I think while we are concerned about Africa, we better wake up to our own backyard in Central and South America and Chinese inroads there, very significant inroads. Russia coming to Venezuela now too.

[cowboyusa]

TV. Needs to fired. PT, purge ALL Globalist Neo-Cons.

[wastedyears]

I have an African strategy. Take out every single American citizen, and ban travel to and from the whole continent.

[cowboyusa]

He.

[PIF]

What’s the exchange rate for a bazillion dollar Zimbabwe note? About a quarter US. Must be way less for a Chinese yuan.

---

At the moment:
1USD = 361.9 Zimbabwe dollars

1USD = 6.899252 Chinese Yuan Renminbi

[yoe]

"For over a decade, China has outpaced the U.S. and its allies in currying favor and investment opportunities among African nations..."

Dealing with African thugs/dictators and tribes men, China and Russia for 'financial and political influence across Africa,' will be a never ending drain on American resources.....there must be a better way.

[butlerweave]

Real Help instead of takeover ?

[Chauncey Gardiner]

Chinese have owned the Panama Canal since Carter surrendered it. We still must ship over 50% of our heavy sea lift capacity thru the Canal in the event of military actions in Europe or the middle east. The dems destroy us a little bit over time

[bkopto]

Mr. Bolton said Thursday. “They are deliberately and aggressively targeting their investments in the region to gain a competitive advantage over the United States.”

Let China and Russia "have" the Dark Continent. Who cares - Africa always wins anyway.

So Bolton wants a confrontation over this? Good grief.

[Enterprise]

Strategy for South Africa:

Arm white South Africans to the teeth so they are not the victims of genocide. Then sign a military alliance with the White South African Government.

[x]

Didn’t we try that for a while? How did it work out?

[Enterprise]

Honestly, you have me on that. If we tried, someone must have dropped the ball. President Trump wouldn’t.

[DesertRhino]

Will nobody stop this Bolton jackass? I have an African policy, how about the same one we had in 1965 ... no Africa policy. There is nothing there but about 1.6 billion uneducated poverty-stricken backwards people with their hand out.

And now Bolton wants to play his “Grand geopolitical chess game” in Africa now. Honestly, I could not care less if China owns all of Africa.

[joma89]

I recently spent some time in Africa and this strategy is needed.

JoMa

[DIRTYSECRET]

The Chicoms will take over the white owned farms. Remember they need to create 25 million jobs/yr to keep people working and not rioting. The Africans know their game and are happy to play it. Ask the late Julius Nyere.

[TADSLOS]

Let China and Russia play with that tar baby.

[DesertRhino]

Why do you believe that strategy is needed? For extra credit explain to me how the endemic corruption and backward leadership in Africa will adjust to a clear, bribery free, American model based upon a giant military footprint rather than large infrastructure projects?
Last, if there’s some vital American interests there, please explain that.

[mylife]

Ivan was in league with Chavez.