Photo: Master Sgt. Loren Bonser/U.S. Army In May 2008, the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, hosted "Unified Quest 2008," the army's annual war games to test the American military's ability to deal with the kind of crises that it might face in the near future. "Unified Quest 2008" was especially noteworthy because it was the first time the war games included African scenarios as part of the Pentagon's plan to create a new military command for the continent: the Africa Command or Africom. No representatives of Africom were at the war games, but Africom officers were in close communication throughout the event.
The five-day war games were designed to look at what crises might erupt in different parts of the world in five to 25 years and how the United States might handle them. In addition to U.S. military officers and intelligence officers, "Unified Quest 2008" brought together participants from the State Department and other U.S. government agencies, academics, journalists, and foreign military officers (including military representatives from several NATO countries, Australia, and Israel), along with the private military contractors who helped run the war games: the Rand Corporation and Booz-Allen.
One of the four scenarios that were war-gamed was a test of how Africom could respond to a crisis in Somalia — set in 2025 — caused by escalating insurgency and piracy. Unfortunately, no information on the details of the scenario is available.
Far more information is available on the other scenario — set in 2013 — which was a test of how Africom could respond to a crisis in Nigeria in which the Nigerian government is near collapse, and rival factions and rebels are fighting for control of the oil fields of the Niger Delta and vying for power in the country which is the sixth largest supplier of America's oil imports.
The list of options for the Nigeria scenario ranged from diplomatic pressure to military action, with or without the aid of European and African nations. One participant, U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Mark Stanovich, drew up a plan that called for the deployment of thousands of U.S. troops within 60 days, which even he thought was undesirable. "American intervention could send the wrong message: that we are backing a government that we don't intend to," Stanovich said. Other participants suggested that it would be better if the U.S. government sent a request to South Africa or Ghana to send troops into Nigeria instead.
As the game progressed, according to former U.S. ambassador David Lyon, it became clear that the government of Nigeria was a large part of the problem. As he put it, "we have a circle of elites [the government of Nigeria] who have seized resources and are trying to perpetuate themselves. Their interests are not exactly those of the people."
Furthermore, according to U.S. Army Major Robert Thornton, an officer with the Joint Center for International Security Force Assistance at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, "it became apparent that it was actually green (the host nation government) which had the initiative, and that any blue [the U.S. government and its allies] actions within the frame were contingent upon what green was willing to tolerate and accommodate."
Among scenarios examined during the game were the possibility of direct American military intervention involving some 20,000 U.S. troops in order to "secure the oil," and the question of how to handle possible splits between factions within the Nigerian government. The game ended without military intervention because one of the rival factions executed a successful coup and formed a new government that sought stability.
The recommendations which the participants drew up for the Army's Chief of Staff, General George Casey, do not appear to be publicly available, so we don't know exactly what the participants finally concluded. But we do know that since the war games took place in the midst of the presidential election campaign, General Casey decided to brief both John McCain and Barack Obama on its results.
The African Security Research Project has prepared reports providing detailed information on the creation, missions, and activities of Africom. In particular, they reveal that neither the commander of Africom, General William Ward, nor his deputy, Vice Admiral Robert Moeller, are under any illusions about the purpose of the new command.
Thus, when General Ward appeared before the House Armed Services Committee on March 13, 2008, he cited America's growing dependence on African oil as a priority issue for Africom and went on to proclaim that combating terrorism would be "Africom's number one theater-wide goal." He barely mentioned development, humanitarian aid, peacekeeping or conflict resolution.
And in a presentation by Vice Admiral Moeller at an Africom conference held at Fort McNair on February 18, 2008 and subsequently posted on the web by the Pentagon, he declared that protecting "the free flow of natural resources from Africa to the global market" was one of Africom's "guiding principles" and specifically cited "oil disruption," "terrorism," and the "growing influence" of China as major "challenges" to U.S. interests in Africa.
Since then, as General Ward has demonstrated in an interview with AllAfrica, he has become more adept at sticking to the U.S. government's official public position on Africom's aims and on its escalating military operations on the African continent.
These activities currently include supervising U.S. arms sales, military training programs and military exercises; overseeing the growing presence of U.S. naval forces in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea and off the coast of Somalia; running the new U.S. base at Camp Lemonier in Djibouti; and managing the array of African military bases to which the United States has acquired access under agreements with the host governments of African countries all over the continent. These countries include Algeria, Botswana, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, São Tomé, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia.
We can only wonder what Barack Obama thought of the war game and what lessons he learned from General Casey's briefing. One might hope that he came away with a new appreciation for the danger, if not the outright absurdity, of pursuing the strategy of unilateral American military intervention in Africa pioneered by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who was retained as Defense Secretary by President Obama when he took office, and General Casey, who has also kept his job under the new administration.
But President Obama has decided instead to expand the operations of Africom throughout the continent. He has proposed a budget for financial year 2010 that will provide increased security assistance to repressive and undemocratic governments in resource-rich countries like Nigeria, Niger, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and to countries that are key military allies of the United States like Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, Rwanda and Uganda.
And he has actually chosen to escalate U.S. military intervention in Africa, most conspicuously by providing arms and training to the beleaguered Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, as part of his effort to make Africa a central battlefield in the "global war on terrorism." So it is clearly wishful thinking to believe that his exposure to the real risks of such a strategy revealed by these hypothetical scenarios gave him a better appreciation of the risks that the strategy entails.
Daniel Volman is director of the African Security Research Project in Washington, DC and a member of the board of directors of the Association of Concerned Africa Scholars. He has been studying U.S. security policy toward Africa and U.S. military activities in Africa for more than 30 years.
RELATED LINKS:
Africom to Continue Under Obama
U.S. Military Command Aims to Help Africans Help Themselves - General
Africom and the Obama Administration
U.S. Military Programs In Sub-Saharan Africa, 2005-2007
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US and Africom? Nigeria and somalia? well it is only a two week old baby would not understand what America's interest is. America is only interested in those deals from which they will feed their kiths and kin. US is using my state for both litmus and acid tests all because they need what we have! who says that US will not come for war in Nigeria if they are heavily convinced that they will defeat Nigeria army? America gets what it wants without minding the possible destructions that may come after! this has been America since its independence in 1776. However, taking into account that the leaders of our country have shamelessly enslaved, and criminalised themselves in different foreign banks in their morbid craze to secure some stolen wealth can even make one agree to engage in a national war in Nigeria. who on earth can understand that a country naturally endowed with resources cannot simply feed the hands that laboured it? Nigeria.Yet some notorious gamblers who have constituted hawks and bent of hi-jacking our God given resources to the benefits of their immediate clandestine families, are our leaders! my point of concern is that America's presence on our soil will do us no favour, because they would be concentrated on the oil business and have no time for the developmental agenda else something needs to be done! i strongly believe that there would be a systemic change in Nigeria, may be, it may make need of war!?! why is it that my state is under US scrutiny? we are all sovereign states but our leaders do not even know that the country they man is a sovereign one! It is particularluy agonising going through the hard fact that about 60% of Nigerians serving at the National assembly cannot even recite our national Anthem and Pledge? what are we still waiting for?
Nigeria in the same class with Somalia?
see www.tonyelumelu.com
This has always been the plan of the enemies of Nigeria. They want to see Nigeria disintegrate. These enemies especially America shall be put to shame. Imaging comparing Nigeria to Somalia? Nigeria would never disintegrate, God would not allow our enemies to succeed. W fought the Civil war to keep Nigeria one. The blood of those who fought to keep us one would not go in vain. Nigerian army is capable. We do not need the US or Europe. The Nigeria Army woud have dealt with the so called militants if they wanted to. Contemplating on sending Ghanian army to come and quell situations in Nigeria is beyond me. Without Nigerian army Liberia and Sierra Leone would be another Somalia, it wasn't Ghanian army who did that. Enemies of Nigeria would not succeed, Amen!!
AMERICA IS THE WHORE OF BABYLON : Revelations 17 & 18 AND Jeremiah 50 & 51
HERE ARE SOME KEY POINTS :
Jeremiah, chapter 50 : 8 - 9
8: Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks. 9: For, behold, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon AN ASSEMBLY OF GREAT NATIONS FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from there she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain. . [ Their will be an exodus of nations leaving America ; returning to their ancestral homes e.g. Black Africans to nations like Ghana, Sierra Leone, etc ] [ .Get out of New Babylon America !!! ]
[ 1 ] Jeremiah, chapter 50 : 16 16: Cut off the sower from Babylon ;and him that handles the sickle in the time of harvest .For fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.
[ 2 ] Jeremiah, chapter 51 : 6
6: Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul. Be not cut off in her iniquity. For this is the time of the LORD's vengeance; he will render to her a recompence.
[ 3 ] Jeremiah, chapter 51 : 9 9: We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed. Forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country. For her judgment reaches to heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.
Jeremiah, chapter 50 : 35 - 37
35: A sword is upon the Chaldeans, the inhabitants of Babylon, her princes, and her wise men; says the LORD. 36: A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote. A sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed. 37: A sword is upon their horses, chariots, and upon ALL THE MINGLED PEOPLE that are in the midst of her; they shall become as women. A sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.
ALL THE MINGLED PEOPLE What Nation Has More Different Cultures Than America ?
Jeremiah, chapter 51 : 7 7: Babylon has been a golden cup in the LORD's hand; that made all the earth drunken. The nations have drunk of her wine. Therefore the nations are insane.
10: The LORD has brought forth our righteousness. Come, and let us declare in Zion (our souls) the work of the LORD our God. [ Zion = The Kingdom of Heaven which is within us..within our souls ]
[ This same spirit of the Medes ( Arabs) is against New Babylon (Anerica) ]
[ 1 ] Jeremiah, chapter 51 : 11 11: Make bright the arrows; gather the shields. The LORD has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.
[ 2 ] Jeremiah, chapter 51 : 27 - 28
27: Set you up a standard in the land. Blow the trumpet among the nations. Prepare the nations against her. Call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz. Appoint a captain against her. Cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- These three(3) kingdoms today are : a) Ararat - (Armenia / Turkey) b) Ashchenaz ( ? ) c) Minni Armenia These kingdoms are (Arabic ) Medes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------- 28: Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains, all the rulers of it, and all the land of his dominion.
[ The people will stop immigrating to America; once the word gets out of her impending doom ]
[ 1 ] Jeremiah, chapter 51 : 44 -45
44: And I will punish Bel in Babylon. I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he has swallowed up. And the nations shall not flow together any more to him. Yes, the wall of Babylon shall fall. 45: My people, go you out of the midst of her, and deliver you every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD.
[ a) For Two(2) years shall the people [ still here ( in America) ] hear rumors b) Civil Wars will break out before the final day of Americas destruction
[ 1 ] Jeremiah, chapter 51 : 46
46: And lest your heart faint, and you fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land. A rumour shall both come one year. And after that in another year shall come a rumour, and violence in the land; ruler against ruler. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
REVELATIONS 17 & 18 : Also witnesses to Babylons destruction
OBAMA DECEPTIONS
Matthew 24:4 Take Precautions Against Being Tricked By Anyone [Paraphrased] * Unless Theyre Likeable ?
#1
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrpRocaEfQE]
[ http://www.infowars.com/obama-feigns-ignorance-of-cfr-nau/ ]
[http://www.infowars.com/michelle-obama-flashes-%E2%80%98el-diablo%E2%80%99 -hand-signal-on-cover-of-vogue/ ]
#2 Here is evidence of Point 2 of the Georgia Guidestones on Reproduction .
Don't be deceived :
[http://www.infowars.com/?p=7259]
Here are search result links to what the Georgia Guidestones are
[ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_Guidestones ]
#3
BY PEACE SHALL Many Be deceived (Daniel 8:25) .
DOES THE TERM PEACEKEEPERS ring a Bell ?
Ask the people in Rwanda (who survived that Peace-keeping) about the
United Nations PEACEKEEPERS .
President Obamas UNITED NATIONS AMBASSADOR SUSAN RICE cut her teeth on
the RWANDA MASSACRE . OOOPs!!! She said.
(Heres a Search Link To Many Witnesses To THE NEW U.N. RICE MONSTER)
[http://ixquick.com/do/metasearch.pl?query=Susan+Rice+Rwanda&cat=web&pl=ff& language=english]
FAMILIES LINE UP FOR MASONIC CHILD ID PROGRAM ! UNCLE BEAST WANTS YOU !!!
[http://www.infowars.com/families-line-up-for-masonic-child-id-program/ ]
FRITZ SPRINGMEIER A Bold Christian Truthseeker The Top 13 Illuminati Bloodlines [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k73Q2_f4vKU ]
The Swine Flu Vaccination Hoax - Explained URL [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbFxV_C8Yw4 ]
[Check Out :
3) Who Brought The Slaves To America ? URL = [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuzhnKy63io ] Or [http://wideeyecinema.com/?p=911]
WAKE UP ! STAY UP MY BROTHERS & SISTERS ! BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
[http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx] / [gcnlive.com] / [http://alexjonesringtones.net/]
- Life Is a Game. Have Fun. [ Luke 18:17 / Isaiah 11:6 ]