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Boko Haram and Resource Wars in Africa

For discussions of events and conditions not necessarily related to Peak Oil.

Boko Haram and Resource Wars in Africa

Unread postby Keith_McClary » Thu 29 Jan 2015, 15:08:35

Regional Conflict, Resource War - Unraveling the Mystery of Boko Haram
And so it is with the great ‘mystery’ of Boko Haram, a group that in just a few years has become one of the most recognizable terrorist entities in the world. Having carried out heinous massacres of men, women, and children, abducted thousands of innocents, and destroyed whole towns, Boko Haram now symbolizes just that perfect blend of barbarism, religious and ideological fundamentalism, and non-white skin, which come together to cast them, in the eyes of westerners especially, as the manifestation of evil – the devil incarnate that can only be destroyed by the forces of righteousness. You know, the ‘good guys.’

But what happens when there are no ‘good guys’ to be found? What happens when you follow the story only to find the most cynical of intentions from every player involved? Such is the case with this Boko Haram story, and indeed the regional politics and geopolitics of West Africa as a whole.

Unraveling the Mystery - Inside Boko Haram
But France is certainly not alone in eyeing potential economic benefits in West Africa. Recently, Germany has stepped into the fray, making it clear that it seeks to become more assertive militarily and economically in the region. As the major economic engine of Europe, Germany is in prime position to take full advantage of the insecurity coupled with the tremendous demographic growth of West Africa. In Ghana, Nigeria, and elsewhere, Germany sees untapped potential markets for its exports, as well as a military foothold. In this way, the European Union, more and more seen as the domain of Germany, places itself at the center of a growing competition in the region.

And then of course there is the inescapable, intractable military powerhouse of the United States which has quietly, but very significantly, increased its military capability – “footprint” to use the parlance of AFRICOM and strategic planners – all throughout the continent. This deafeningly quiet military expansion has, at its root, the goal of checking the rise of China’s economic influence throughout the continent.
...
With this larger objective of blocking Chinese economic penetration in Africa, the US and its European toadies have transformed the continent into a proxy battleground, one which has destabilization as a potent weapon.

"Eric Draitser is the founder of StopImperialism.com. He is an independent geopolitical analyst based in New York City."
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Re: Boko Haram and Resource Wars in Africa

Unread postby BobInget » Thu 29 Jan 2015, 17:53:13

Largely in reaction to climate and conflict refugees, France is turning sharply right.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/2 ... 73356.html

Because neither climate or resource wars are getting more humane, watch the US
taking a sharper right turn. While I never anticipated Republicans regaining the White House in my long lifetime, It seems certain today.
American's egged on by talk radio, FOX, are embracing Islamaphobia. Like AN abusive parent "I'll give you something to cry about"!

Judging by recent elections, projected fuels shortages in 2016, we see America moving to the right as well. If and when President O vetoes Keystone, America's right will use higher fuel prices, with little promise of relief in absence of Keystone,
falling or fallen ME, SA, imports, as a club to beat back environmentalists and progressives.

ON topic:
Egypt joins other African nations battling what have become known as 'terrorists'
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/01 ... sinai.html

Boko Haram, like al-Qaeda, ISIL, Hezbollah, have spawned dozens of affiliates
hard at work in Libya, Nigeria Mali, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia, determined to bring down Western
(white-man's) economies. The quickest way to do this will be disruption of reliable oil supplies. There is no way the US can contain resource terrorists on thee continents with a thousand drones. Doubtless, we will try.

There was a point when the US could have partnered with Iran to fight ISIL, but that
plan was shot down by pro Israel, right wingers with thirsts for power.

Most energy boards are distracted by Russia's moves in Ukraine. Consensus is war is inevitable. They say shit like that as if it were meaningless gossip.
They completely missed the trolly.
A real cataclysm could be Israel's 'preemptive'/'preventive' strikes on Iran.
The right has no time to argue if 'first strikes' are justified, if Israel feels it is,
then, its OK. With just the proper dose of Islamic fear, most folks will turn their heads away just as they have done in Nigeria.
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Re: Boko Haram and Resource Wars in Africa

Unread postby GHung » Thu 29 Jan 2015, 18:29:29

In short, Clusterfuck Planet gets more clustered and fucked. Not that any of this was unpredictable; just history rhyming on an exponentially increasing scale. While details are impossible to know, the trend is clear. The only thing that can save 'us' is a massive reduction of available energy and claims on resources. Whether or not we (or much of anything) can survive the process is the great question of our age; the question far too few are willing to ask, but the process is underway - always has been, ever since the children began playing with fire.
Hold on to your butts.... the Great Crescendo of human history is underway.
Blessed are the Meek, for they shall inherit nothing but their Souls. - Anonymous Ghung Person
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Re: Boko Haram and Resource Wars in Africa

Unread postby americandream » Thu 29 Jan 2015, 20:35:09

My issue with progressive analysis of our current predicament is the tendency to stick stubbornly to sacred cows in the face of the stark contradictions displayed by global capitalism. For example, the tendency to depict this as a conflict between the West and China in the face of the deepening ties between the Western and Chinese ruling elite. Additionally the tendency to characterise this as a war between the irrational and rational, albeit an opportunistic resource grab whilst capitalism is anything but rational....very much so.

Until we recognise the inexorable march of the new global culture that will seal all our fates on the climate front, we will remain perpetually dismayed and backfooted by the adaptability of capitalism.
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Re: Boko Haram and Resource Wars in Africa

Unread postby Newfie » Fri 30 Jan 2015, 00:11:00

@bobinget,

That is about what I've been fearing for quite a while, since 2008ish anyway. I really wanted McCain to win fearing a right wing backlash to a two term Dem president.

Not convienced it will happen but still possible.

BTW our wing nut commander and chief was I town this pm. Made my trip to Lowes go slow as they had block after block closed off for the motorcade.
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