Challenging U.S. Security Assessments of Africa

For decades, Africa lay at the periphery of US security policy. Attention to the continent intensified after the 9/11 terrorist attacks amid claims that East Africa and the Sahel had become hubs of terrorist activity. Despite this shift, US analysts and policymakers continue to frame security threats in Africa using a traditional, Cold War-influenced paradigm. Commonly used indicators are based on mainstream security studies, which provides a narrow view of security. Using Critical Security Studies, this article provides a broader and more inclusive assessment of security threats in Africa.