NPR: The Military Doesn't Advertise It, But U.S. Troops Are All Over Africa
This story was originally published on Oct. 20, 2017, and is being republished with minor changes to update.
When U.S. troops were ambushed in Niger last October, the widespread reaction was surprise: The U.S. has military forces in Niger? What are they doing there?
Yet in many ways, the Niger operation typifies U.S. military missions underway in roughly 20 African countries, mostly in the northern half of the continent. The missions tend to be small, they are carried out largely below the radar, and most are focused on a specific aim: rolling back Islamist extremism.
In almost all of the missions, the Americans are there to advise, assist and train African militaries — and not to take part in combat. Still, those supporting roles can often take U.S. forces into the field with their African partners, as was the case in Niger.
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WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction .... the U.S. military presence in Africa is only going to increase with time.