Right now, images of poverty, AIDS, genocide, and war are interrupted only by the terror of thug states like Zimbabwe, a once prospering nation that has been dragged down to starvation and despotism. Bright spots are few, far in between, and tenuous.
America has national security interests on the continent. Not that poverty causes terrorism. But poverty and despotism can create failed states where terrorists with money and guns can set up shop to plot death and destruction.
Blair's project can help alleviate the conditions that lead to failed states. America can help.
In addition to aid for development and combating AIDS, American military forces are trying to strengthen local governments so they can hunt down terrorists:
The training exercise began Monday in Chad, Mauritania, Mali, Niger and, for the first time, Algeria, from where Islamic insurgents linked to the al-Qaida network began a raid into Mauritania that left two dozen dead. Five other countries will take part by the time the program finishes in two weeks.
The Mauritania raid is an example of why nations in the region "have to work together now," said Maj. Holly Silkman, a spokeswoman for the Germany-based U.S. European Command, or EUCOM, which is responsible for operations in most of Africa.
"They're a threat to stability and security in this region," Silkman said of Algeria's Salafist Group for Call and Combat, which is listed by the Washington as a terrorist organization. "And the Africans are well aware of that."
And if you doubt the importance of the continent from the security angle or humanitarian angle, consider this:
Africa is being eyed anew for potential "elephants" in the oil and gas sector, riding on the back of soaring oil prices, the depletion of resources elsewhere and newfound stability in many countries, experts say.
And of course, with Zimbabwe already befriended by China and Sudan a virtual client, the fact that China is looking to expand its influence in Africa should spur us to action:
Unfortunately for many Africans, China’s record of resource exploitation and global obstructionism point to an uncertain future. China’s long record of human rights violations in Hong Kong and Tibet; suppression of religious and political freedoms; history of weapons proliferation; support of brutal regimes in North Korea and Iran; and its disregard for indigenous markets, raise legitimate questions regarding its long-term intentions on the continent and its commitment to the African people.
China seems to ally with the very worst of nations and if China gets a foothold in Africa we can look forward to more misery and tyranny on the continent.
Blair wants to leave a legacy and we owe him support on his project. It is the right thing to do. And it serves our security interests. Hard to argue against this project.
