The Sahel – The new haven for terrorist activity
The sprawling web of new terrorism across what is called as the Sahel region – from Boko Haram in Nigeria to Al Sahab – Al Qaeda to Islamic State to Nusrat I Jamin – a new frontier has merged. Brutality – rebellion against government and armies – human rights and the new law is becoming widely prevalent[1]. It is no longer the Middle East or North Africa that is the hotspot, it is the Sahel warns US General and Head of Africa Command, Gen Stephen J. Townsend.[2]
Many of these countries that had travel bans to the US under the Trump administration are now open.
New Biden Policy
Instead of a ban, the White House says it will improve the screening of visitors by strengthening information sharing with foreign governments and other measures.
The so-called Muslim ban went through multiple iterations before it was finally upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. The original ban affected refugees from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.[3]
But the list of countries changed over the course of a protracted court battle that wound all the way to the Supreme Court. While the high court allowed the order to take effect in December 2017, the legal fight didn’t end until the following June.
By then, the list consisted of five majority-Muslim countries – Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen – and two that are not: North Korea and Venezuela.
Last January, the Trump administration added six new countries – Nigeria, Myanmar, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Sudan and Tanzania – to its list of restricted countries.[4]
Within 120 days, Biden said he wanted his secretary of state and Homeland Security director to provide a review of current vetting procedures and information-sharing along with recommendations for revising them.
No step forward, two steps back.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
References:
[1] Daily Global Insights | Jun 22, 2021 | US News | India News | Global News | Markets – Jun 22, 2021, PGurus.com
[2] A secure and stable Africa is an enduring American interest – Jan 30, 2020, Armed Services
[3] President Biden Revokes Travel Bans Affecting Primarily Muslim-Majority and African Countries – Jan 21, 2021, Fragomen
[4] President Biden ends Trump’s Muslim travel ban, outlines what’s next – Jan 21, 2021, USA Today
- World Bank Courts controversy - September 18, 2021
- China’s pervasive influence in just about everything - September 18, 2021
- The six point plan of Mr Biden and his ulterior economic agenda - September 10, 2021
Shridhar Chityala ji, I am of the opinion that for the first time Sahel region is covered in the Indian media. You have opened this part of the provinces which should have been in the radars few years ago. I am sure focus will shift to Sahel now.
It is sad to see what all former US President Trump achieved in this part of the African continent is being diluted by Biden now. Biden with 48 years of political experience did nothing for US of A. I watched many in the media and my friends praising Trump and commented that he is the only man capable of taking head on China. Unfortunately harvesting of votes and the corrupt media platforms in USA defeated him.
I thought that Nobel Peace Prize would have been awarded to Donald Trump on his successful West Asia four accords entered into by and between Israel and Moracco, UAE, KSA and Bharain. Had Trump continued few more West Asian nations would have entered into an agreements with Israel for a peaceful atmosphere in that region.