Religious Zeal, Geopolitical Realpolitik: Pick A Lane, Trump
Apparently, a second Trump term will see Africa policy dictated by 'Christian Nationalism,' focusing on perceived persecution of Christians abroad. This sounds novel, a grand moral crusade. But hasn't US foreign policy always found convenient moral justifications for strategic interests? From 'spreading democracy' to 'fighting communism,' the underlying aims rarely stray far from securing
resources, containing rivals, or ensuring pliable client states. For example, the support for various regimes in countries like Zaire (now DRC) or Angola often framed as anti-communist crusades, conveniently overlooked horrific human rights abuses while securing mineral interests. One might wonder how suddenly Africa’s Christians become a priority, given past administrations' selective outrage on
human rights, especially when measured against, say, the US's unwavering support for Israeli operations where civilian lives often become collateral. It’s almost as if 'values' only kick in when they align perfectly with resource extraction or geopolitical maneuvering against China. This isn't Christian Nationalism; it's the usual American foreign policy playbook, just with a new coat of
evangelistic paint.