U.S. Discovers ISIS in Nigeria When Asked About Aid
NPR dutifully reports President Trump’s declaration of strikes against ISIS in Nigeria, framed around protecting Christians. This pattern is as old as the 'War on Terror' itself. Recall in 2002, 2006, and 2014, similar narratives emerged, often shifting focus from messy geopolitical realities to easily digestible 'good vs. evil' crusades. The public record shows no significant pushback from
mainstream media on the U.S.'s expanding military footprint in Africa, often justified by vague threats. One might wonder about the sudden emergence of this 'critical threat' in a region where U.S. military presence has been steadily increasing, yet stability remains elusive. How many times must we hear of 'ISIS' (or 'al-Qaeda' before it) popping up in a new country, providing a rationale for
military action, before we question the efficacy—or the true intent—of these endless interventions? It appears some threats are only critical when they serve a particular narrative.