Beijing might soon gain more of Washington's attention as President-elect Donald Trump is expected to reverse President Joe Biden's decision to redeploy U.S. troops to Somalia, following Trump's former approach to the African region.
The Daily Caller reported that the potential withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Somalia by the incoming Trump administration signals a continuation of Trump's belief that the region does not significantly impact American national security.
In 2020, then-President Trump executed the withdrawal of approximately 700 U.S. troops from Somalia.
This decision was later countermanded by his successor, President Joe Biden, who sent back 500 troops in an effort to maintain a presence aimed at supporting regional stability and combating the influence of extremist groups like al-Shabaab.
The United States has maintained a military presence in Somalia since 2007, primarily focused on air campaigns against al-Shabaab. The decision by Biden to reintroduce troops was seen as a maneuver to sustain a "persistent presence" in light of ongoing threats posed by these militant groups.
J. Peter Pham, who served as the U.S. special envoy to Africa's Sahel region during Trump's first term, has speculated on Trump's expected course of action.
Pham believes that Trump is likely to undo Biden's military deployment in order to align with his previously determined stance on the lack of vested U.S. interests in Somalia. Pham has voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of American partnerships within the region, citing corruption issues within units like the Danab Brigade.
The skepticism isn't unique to Pham. Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper documented Trump's ambivalence about the U.S. military presence across Africa in his book. Esper noted that Trump favored full withdrawal from the continent and identified Somalia as the potential starting point.
His insights during Trump's first term shed light on why another troop removal might be imminent.
Elbridge Colby, recently appointed undersecretary of defense for policy, is an advocate for diverting U.S. resources and strategic focus to the Pacific region to counter potential challenges from China.
This complements the narrative of a Trump-driven strategic pivot from Africa towards the Indo-Pacific, signaling significant foreign policy shifts on the horizon.
The apparent plan to withdraw the troops reflects Trump's broader approach of scaling back military engagements deemed to be of little benefit to American national interests.
However, attempts to confirm the Trump transition team's position on this anticipated policy adjustment haven’t yielded an immediate response. Similarly, requests for comments from the Biden administration were met with silence, which leaves room for speculation and highlights the sensitivity surrounding the decision-making processes involved.
Pham has gone further to suggest that before any more American resources are expended in Somalia, a comprehensive review of U.S. policies there should be considered.
This statement mirrors broader calls for a reassessment of American military involvements globally, especially in areas plagued by instability and without clear strategic advantages for the U.S.
With U.S. troops primarily engaged in air strike operations to curb the power of al-Shabaab, the conversation surrounding the geopolitical significance of such military actions becomes critical.
Pham's comments underscore a concern that these operations do not justify the potential risks to American lives and financial investment, a sentiment that seems to echo within Trump's camp.
Trump’s previous term was marked by efforts to retract U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, reflecting his approach of prioritizing domestic issues and resource allocation over overseas military engagements. With international attention likely veering towards the Pacific under his potential policies, questions arise regarding the future of American influence in regions like Africa.
