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=AFRICOM 2028= // Feuding among knights and peasants was not just a nuisance but a lost opportunity...Warriors to courtiers. - Pinker pp.74-75 //

// Possibly quote Vaclav Havel on why there should be "motivating forces more uplifting than nationalism" and in finding unity in diversity // // For instance: [Even] the nuclear deterrent is powerless when confronted with local conflicts, ethnic passions and hatreds, social unrest or thousands of minor clashes between various conflicting interests. The only force which can be called upon against all that is the force of good political will, the will to act speedily and resourcefully to build democratic structures of cooperation and integration, to give generous support to all reform processes and to punish rigorously any violation of international law, any act of violence, any attack on human rights.Hesitation or a wait-and-see policy would be suicidal.//

//OR as a model: Peoples that have been free for centuries cannot try to keep peoples that liberated themselves only recently, and many of whom have in fact never been free before, from pursuing a course of emancipation. Doing so would mean going against the flow of history. Quite the opposite is called for: taking such peoples straight away, with full understanding, in one's arms, in the arms of democracy, advanced political culture, mutually guaranteed security, respect for human rights and generous economic assistance.//

**Premise:** The United States has a direct requirement for stability in Africa for which AFRICOM should be the primary agent for change in AFRICA. Look at where the water and the interesting minerals/elements and use this as a method for identifying infrastructure networks and needs.

**Hypothesis** : Key to growth is developing societies with strong internal locus of control **Corollary** : When tribal, ethnic, religious, or other traditional affiliations and limiting cultural attributes are a key factor in identity, economic development remains low


 * According to Pham 2009, Global Peace Operations Initiative (USAID) is training 75,000 troops, the majority African, for peacekeeping - what is the latest on this? **

Use KW's Balkan relationship article in support of IMET as testament to the goodwill and residual value created through training.


 * Why it is in US AFRICOM's interest to assist with this effort?**
 * Prevent US forces from having to be the primary actor in any African conflict or disaster response effort
 * Build African capacity in these areas through train-the-training efforts
 * Russia in 1980s and China in 1990s are good examples that democracy (i.e. governance & transparency) must precede development - the only certain requirement for growth is stability, for which a pan-African force can be a key component to its establishment and maintenance
 * Provide employment for recent U.S. veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan //(KP comment:This might be a selling point..what the army wants to do is have revolving 2-3 week training stints around the world in full spectrum operations you could try and pitch an Asia type model where we conduct 2-4 week training exercises with African Armies as well as NATO.)//
 * Opportunity for the most highly skilled soldiers from stable forces to learn higher-level skills and pan-continental interoperability to more effectively serve as a counterpart to AFRICOM
 * Large-scale infrastructure projects spanning across countries could be more effectively undertaken through a Corps of Engineers to enhance local capacity and already willing to work for the good of Africa, rather than the highest bidder
 * Provide alternative employment and professional training to current African mercenaries and those left unemployed after armed insurgencies - those unwelcome in domestic force may be welcome and eager to serve "Africa" rather than a despised regime back home
 * Integration is a good first step in pan-African political and economic integration and provides positive events and cultural markers for a renewed "African" identity
 * Individual actors so engaged are unlikely to be kept idle at home to plot coups or used to quell opposition or trouble neighbors at home


 * Key Concerns**
 * Who will pay for it? //(KP comment: I think the biggest concern would be who would pay for it. I say this because what ever country contributes the most money will want to have the most reward from it ie the most infrastructure projects, the most training given to their troops ect. Also militaries don’t move quickly and unless they train together, live together, ect they don’t function well together countries would have to be willing to essentially loose internal combat power to this force and in a place like Africa that is a tough sell)//
 * Who appoints the generals? How do promotions occur? //(KP comment: I think what you have is a good idea but with all the CRAP going on and things that have happened the idea of unifying a multinational force is very very hard. Hell even NATO is not very unified I mean the US does NOT ever fall under another countries general selling the idea that a Kenyan General would have to be subservient to a South African General would be a tough sell.)//
 * Where will this force be based?
 * How will selection be carried out?
 * Will ALL countries be encouraged or required to provide a quota of troops? How will this be mandated? Or will it be considered an elite force that countries will vie to be able to send troops to?
 * Where will it be based? Strike force in South Africa; Engineer Corps in Nigeria; Disaster Team in Kenya?
 * What about HIV/AIDS? All members must be tested 6 months, 3 months, and immediately prior to deployment - HIV positive troops are not permitted to join at any rank in any capacity.
 * Ethics and locus of control will be key practical training issues to show these individuals what corruption is and how it is hindering African growth and stability. Those trained must return every 6 months to teach ethics train-the-trainer workshops at officer and NCO levels

This might be a selling point..what the army wants to do is have revolving 2-3 week training stints around the world in full spectrum operations you could try and pitch an Asia type model where we conduct 2-4 week training exercises with African Armies as well as NATO.