Large-Scale Land Acquisitions in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Intersection of American Strategic Interests, Economics, Security, and Politics

摘要

This paper examines the recent and increasing trend of large-scale land acquisitions in the developing world. With a focus on sub-Saharan Africa, where the conditions for destabilization are prolific and a majority of the land deals occur, the objectives of this report are threefold: first, within the context of U.S. national security, foreign policy, and military strategy, demonstrate the relevance and significance of large-scale land acquisitions; second, highlight the countries of concern that have the most potential to destabilize under the conditions of large-scale land acquisitions and are of particular strategic interest to the United States; and third, using a case study in Ethiopia, demonstrate a geospatial analysis methodology that can be replicated by the intelligence community, NGOs, or governmental organizations to analyze the effects of particular acquisitions.