President Donald Trump is threatening to go “guns-a-blazing” into Nigeria to destroy Islamic terrorists for killing local Christians, which Trump labeled a “genocide” last week. This is classic Trump. He often blusters in public to try to get what he wants.
With Nigeria, though, he could mean it. Since returning to office, Trump has quietly ramped up U.S. counterterrorism operations in Africa—especially in Somalia—and has ordered up war plans for Nigeria. Pressure is building for action and important meetings underway. U.S. airstrikes and a ground incursion are reportedly now on the table.
Is force a good idea here? Not at all. The United States has no vital interests in Nigeria. The use of force against African terrorist groups generally doesn’t work, as Nigeria and Somalia both show, and the dangers of escalation are high.
Trump needs to learn the lesson China did with its wolf-warrior diplomacy: excessive arm-twisting through brash public threats is a counterproductive strategy.
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