US Eyes Red Sea, Imperial Ambitions in Africa
📰 THE STORY: Deutsche Welle reports that the US is actively increasing its focus on the Red Sea region, citing US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent visit to Djibouti and highlighting Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz's unprecedented visit to Sudan aimed at fostering 'normalisation' efforts. The article positions these moves as responses to regional instability and shared security
concerns, particularly concerning maritime security. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The US interest in the Red Sea is not new, nor is it purely about 'maritime security.' The US established Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, its main military base in Africa, in 2002, leveraging its strategic location. This expansion of military footprint coincided with the 'War on Terror' and has
served as a launchpad for interventions across the Sahel and Horn of Africa, from drone strikes in Somalia to intelligence gathering in Yemen. Israel's push for 'normalization' in Sudan, supported by the US, dates back to the Trump administration's Abraham Accords, which bypassed Sudanese popular sentiment and offered Sudan removal from the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list in exchange for
recognizing Israel, despite US sanctions having crippled Sudan's economy for decades. This echoes the 1954 CIA coup in Guatemala, where US corporate interests dictated foreign policy outcomes. Double Standard: The narrative frames US and Israeli actions as pragmatic responses to threats, while any resistance to their regional ambitions, such as the Houthis acting in solidarity with Gaza, is