Security Assistance in Nigeria: Shaping the International Environment to Meet U.S. National Security Objectives in the Global Era

摘要

See attached file. The threat to U.S. national security posed by the asymmetrical threat demands policy innovations that go beyond the boundaries of the past ten years. While American interests in Sub-Saharan Africa are significant and growing, there are also important transnational security threats, infectious diseases, organized international criminal activities, and environmental concerns that emanate from within Sub-Saharan Africa. Left unattended, these transnational issues can arrive on American shores with devastating consequences for our nation. Although the U.S. has enjoyed foreign policy successes in Sub-Saharan Africa, policy makers must not allow themselves to become complacent. Instead, they must continue to seek new and more substantive opportunities throughout the region to enhance security, promote prosperity, and promote democracy and human rights. Nigeria is a nation with nearly one sixth of the African continent's population, a significant strategic ally of the U.S. in the war on terrorism, an exporter of 10% of all U.S. oil imports, and a significant trading partner with the U.S. The country's rapid change from an autocratic, military regime to a civilian, democratically elected government has afforded the U.S. the opportunity to build a promising security, political, and economic relationship with the most populous country in Africa. The fundamental purpose of the United States Security Assistance program is to promote United States foreign policy and national security interests. Therefore, it is in U.S. national interests to enhance the Security Assistance program in Nigeria and take advantage of this unique opportunity to strengthen ties with the most dominant economic and political power in West Africa.