Great Power Competition in Africa

Topic Sponsor: J2

Chinese and Russian involvement in Africa raises concerns, but Great Powers scrambling for influence in Africa is nothing new. Comparing their activity today against Great Power involvement in Africa in the past would likely yield important insights for U.S. policy-makers.

Explain the advantages and disadvantages Great Powers have garnered from their involvement in Africa in the past and how their actions compare to Russian and Chinese involvement today.

• Adamson, Maj. Scott, D., "Congress and the War Powers: A Review of Post 9/11 Military Action in Africa," Air Force Fellows paper, 2021, 23 pgs.
   
• Akintunde, Gp Capt. Ewejide, "The Great Power Competition between the United States and China: Implications for Nigeria's On-Going War on Terrorism," AWC PSP, 2020, 38 pgs.
   
• Allen, Maj. David R., "Countering China's Rare Earth Resource Grab in Africa," GCPME paper, 2020, 50 pgs. 
• Ayala, Maj. Alexis R., "Relying on China's Rare Earths Supply Can be Dangerous for the U.S.," GCPME thesis, 2023, 37 pgs. 
• Bearden,  LTC Steven R., "Overseas Chinese Populations: The People's Republic of China's Social Leverage in Africa," AWC PSP, 2022, 34 pgs.
   
• Firman, Lt. Col. Robert A., "Security Cooperation and Great Power Competition," AWC Strategic Studies Paper, 2019, 21 pgs
• Lombardo, Dominic, "Navigating the Relationship of Sport and Security: Exploring African Security Challenges via Olympic Participation Rates," ACSC elective paper (African Security for the 21^st Century), 2023, 38 pgs.
   
• Natalini, Maj. Amy, Maj. Gabe Burgi, Maj. Fatima Songare, and Maj B.H. Somda,  "Human Security and Great Power Competition in Africa: Balancing the Future Needs of USAFRICOM" ACSC elective paper, 2020, 23 pgs. ACSC Commandant's Research Excellence Award, ACSC International Security Studies Award.
• Rajosefa, Maj. Laura, "The Future of Strategic Competition in the Sahel Region: Placing Partnership First," ACSC elective paper, 2022, 51 pgs.
  • ​Subsequently published as an AU Press Wright Flyer Paper, The Future of Strategic Competition in the Sahel Region (2023)
     
• Stevens, Maj. Philip J., "Reshaping Global Dynamics: US Strategies in Response to China's Military Build-Up in Eastern Africa," GCPME paper, 2024, 37 pgs. 
• Weaver, Kesler, "National Guard State Partnership Program and Peace Keeping Challenges in AFRICOM," AWC Elective paper, 2021, 14 pgs.
   
• Wilson, Maj. Latate, "US Basing and Host Nation Politics," AWC elective, ACSC student, 2018, 9 pgs.