https://youtu.be/2I5ye4s--3I?si=ArnPSSLY5cYt8LAe

Here's a timeline of U.S. military involvement in Niger:

Early 2000s
2002: The U.S. begins limited engagement in Niger as part of the broader Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP), aimed at countering terrorist activities in the Sahel region.

2013: The U.S. establishes a small military presence in Niger to support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations against extremist groups in the region. This includes the establishment of a drone base in Niamey, Niger's capital.

October 2015: The U.S. signs a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Niger, formalizing the presence of U.S. military personnel in the country. This agreement allows for an expanded U.S. military footprint and the construction of new facilities, including an airbase in Agadez.

October 4, 2017: Four U.S. soldiers and four Nigerien soldiers are killed in an ambush by ISIS-affiliated militants near the village of Tongo Tongo in Niger. This incident draws significant attention to the U.S. military presence in the region.

2018: The U.S. begins construction of Air Base 201 in Agadez, a strategic location for drone operations across West and North Africa. The base becomes operational later in the year, significantly enhancing U.S. ISR capabilities in the region.

2020: The U.S. continues its counterterrorism operations in Niger, focusing on intelligence sharing, training, and advising Nigerien forces in their fight against extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS).

August 2023: A military coup in Niger leads to a temporary halt of U.S. military operations in the country. The situation prompts the U.S. to reassess its military presence and operations, leading to the repositioning of some troops and the reduction of activities.

2024: The U.S. military presence in Niger remains, albeit with a scaled-back footprint. The focus continues on supporting regional counterterrorism efforts and maintaining stability in the Sahel region, although operations are more limited due to the ongoing political situation.
This timeline reflects the ongoing and evolving nature of U.S. military involvement in Niger, particularly in the context of counterterrorism and regional stability efforts.

The U.S. involvement in the Sahel region is primarily aimed at combating terrorism and managing regional stability amid growing Russian and Chinese influence. Key U.S. operations have centered around Niger, where an airbase near Agadez has served as a hub for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, supporting local and international counterterrorism efforts. Until recently, the U.S. maintained about 1,000 troops and a $100 million drone base in Niger. However, following a 2023 coup in Niger, the U.S. was asked to withdraw, severely limiting its counterterrorism capabilities in the region.

In addition to Niger, U.S. forces have collaborated with regional governments, focusing on training, equipping, and sharing intelligence with partner forces to tackle groups such as Boko Haram, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and ISIS affiliates. The political instability, marked by coups in Niger, Chad, and Mali, has created challenges for the U.S. to maintain a stable presence and effective partnerships, which have become complicated by the presence of the Wagner Group and other Russian-backed forces.

The U.S. departure from Niger, combined with reduced French influence in former colonies, is shifting the balance of power in the Sahel. This withdrawal also represents a strategic setback, as the Sahel’s instability risks spreading extremism to broader regions. Going forward, the U.S. faces a dilemma in how to maintain influence and counter growing rival presences in the Sahel.
https://theintercept.com/wp-content/...1518795966.jpg
https://theintercept.com/2018/02/18/...fricom-drones/

https://youtu.be/_d_UH3lyqb8?si=7vSLCYLxbSvrukJl

Easy to solve, make it a proxy war like in the old days.

Summarize Nigeria's oil industries connection to American Oil companies

American oil companies play a major role in Nigeria’s oil industry, primarily through partnerships and joint ventures with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil are among the prominent U.S.-based firms deeply involved in the exploration, production, and export of Nigeria's crude oil and natural gas. These companies contribute to Nigeria’s substantial daily oil output and operate through collaborations that often involve profit-sharing and technology transfer agreements. For example, Nigeria exported an average of 1.49 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil in the first quarter of 2022, much of which involved American companies.

American firms not only support oil production but also aid in managing Nigeria’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. ExxonMobil and Chevron, as well as companies from other regions, have collaborated with Nigerian authorities to develop natural gas infrastructure, aiming to leverage Nigeria's large reserves and reduce flaring. Despite the size of these operations, the Nigerian oil industry faces challenges, including crude theft, pipeline vandalism, and logistical hurdles that hinder production efficiency and limit U.S. companies' potential output.

https://youtu.be/c66cD0Ilfow?si=vrCX5DamntuSUCiM

What is the US military presence in Nigeria?

The U.S. military has a presence in Nigeria, although it does not involve a formal base. Instead, the cooperation focuses on advisory and support roles in counterterrorism and security initiatives. Through its Office of Security Cooperation, the U.S. works closely with Nigerian military leaders and provides training, equipment, and intelligence to help Nigeria tackle threats from extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP. The U.S. also enhances Nigeria’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, which are crucial in combating terrorism in the northern and northeastern regions.

Recent U.S. military activities have included the delivery of high-value military equipment, such as attack helicopters, and the implementation of joint training programs. These efforts are primarily aimed at bolstering Nigeria's ability to handle its own security challenges autonomously, rather than establishing a permanent foreign military base, which remains a sensitive issue due to concerns over sovereignty and the efficacy of foreign bases in addressing local security threats.

Although some Nigerians advocate for a stronger military partnership, there is considerable resistance within the country against hosting any full-scale U.S. base, primarily due to historical non-alignment policies and concerns about national sovereignty. Instead, the U.S. is focusing on supporting Nigeria through existing multilateral initiatives, such as the Multinational Joint Task Force and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, as well as direct bilateral programs that focus on military capacity-building and regional stability initiatives.

Trump Moves Fast in New Global Raw Minerals Race

https://youtu.be/AO6DIyLB9CQ?si=1WVLbGm4_2wVnyCJ
Interesting video, Velocity news channel