"US has to give up base in Niger to get troops out" Topic

""The crux of it [Niger's decision] is Niger's choice of military partners – specifically, the choice of Russia. The US clearly seems to be frustrated that Niger is moving closer and closer in terms of military partnerships with the Russians," Alexis Akwagyiram, managing director of the news platform Semafor Africa, told Al Jazeera. Akwagyiram added that the "condescending attitude" of the US towards Niger may have been a contributing factor in Niger's decision."

"Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late founder of the Russian state-funded Wagner military group, hailed the coup as a long-overdue liberation from Western colonisers."

"And it is not just Russia that Niger is strengthening relations with. In late January, Zeine also visited Iran, where he met President Ebrahim Raisi. The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that the US delegation that visited Niamey last week accused the Nigerien government of also working on a deal to supply uranium to Iran. Niger is the world's seventh-largest uranium producer."

"Meanwhile, like Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger has turned to Russia for support."

"The US's $100 USDm (£80m) military base there was built just six years ago, and has played a key role in the US and French strategy to combat jihadists in West Africa."

"It now appears the US has a trade offer from the military junta in Niger. The Russian-backed military junta in Niger will release the 1,000 US soldiers trapped at the base in exchange for the keys to the $100 USD million American airbase in the country."

Subject: US agrees to pull troops out of Niger – BBC News


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Subject: Did Russia, Iran provoke Niger walkout from US military pact? | Politics News | Al Jazeera


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Is this another domino to fall ? Oh wait that theory proved to be wrong. Or …

I'd like to see what would happen if they tried to do something to the troops at the base……

I say, withdraw the troops and destroy the base back to dirt.

I'd say generally the US troops are fairly "safe" … for being in a 3d World 💩👌… OK … That may be a bit harsh …

Regardless, as noted … maybe they want the US to "give them a better deal" and using the Russians as lure ? Like a child from divorced parents pitting one parent vs. the other. To get their way … However, it seems Niger, and some others in the region may have made their choice. I.e. Russia and Iran …

"Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late founder of the Russian state-funded Wagner military group, hailed the coup as a long-overdue liberation from Western colonisers."

Yeah as soon as someone uses terms like Western "colonisers", well we should know their pedigree. He is still dead BTW … ☠

the US and French strategy to combat jihadists

Short answer – Cruise Missiles … repeat …

However, it seems Niger, and some others in the region may have made their choice. I.e. Russia and Iran

I have read that the US State Department keeps putting heavy pressure on Niger and Nigeria to comply with Biden Admin LGBTQ standards and have alienated those governments. Is that a factor here?

Sounds like…
Yet another Biden Admin shortsightedness!
Maybe he shouldn't take afternoon naps?

The Niger government is planning to padlock all buildings taller than 2 stories,…as a precaution.

"I say, withdraw the troops and destroy the base back to dirt."

Nah, can't do that. But if a lot of the stuff left behind blew up after the troops left, well, 'accidents' happen… ;-)

From reading multiple articles, it seems Niger was holding the troops, as basically hostages and using them to negotiate the turnover of the base.

Seems like the US taxpayers have had more of our hard earned money wasted. But I'm sure our government will quickly demand more.

I am sure the Russians will appreciate the base.

This just confirms me in my belief that we ought to avoid entangling alliances. Our leaders can't figure out what to do, and the people we're allegedly trying to help aren't worth the lives we would lose.

Between the oceans, the Air Force, and the navy, we'll be fine. Let ‘em do whatever they want to each other- and don't come looking to us for help when you wind up on the losing side.

Can you imagine how Theodore Roosevelt would have handled this?

I have read that the US State Department keeps putting heavy pressure on Niger and Nigeria to comply with Biden Admin LGBTQ standards and have alienated those governments.

If that is true that is ridiculous. But somehow it wouldn't surprise. But are not there a large number of moslems in that nation ?

Yet another Biden Admin shortsightedness!

The list keeps growing longer & longer …'nuff said …

it seems Niger was holding the troops, as basically hostages and using them to negotiate the turnover of the base.

I don't think they know who they are messing with … oh … wait … never mind. They watch the world news.

I am sure the Russians will appreciate the base.

IIRC they liked Cam Ranh Bay … But we did like Bagram, after a little fixing up to Western standards.

Can you imagine how Theodore Roosevelt would have handled this?

It never would have gone this far …

IIRC they liked Cam Ranh Bay … But we did like Bagram, after a little fixing up to Western standards.

Yep, and the Taliban and the Chinese are most appreciative!

🤔 Why no mention of the US being forced to turn over the military base CNN?

Subject: US troops set to withdraw from Niger, State Department official says | CNN Politics


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Too bad they can't spray it with Ebola on the way out.