About this event

JSOU Snapshot is a series of short learning videos made just for you, busy special operations professionals, to educate and inform on topics of interest, confusion, controversy, and question. The objective of these short videos is to teach or clarify concepts that are important for you to know, in 5 minutes or less. In this video, we ask "What's really driving Russia and China's growing presence in West Africa?" What hidden agendas lurk behind their advances?" As Great Power Competition intensifies globally, so does the contest over West Africa’s natural resources and strategic trade routes, which are re-shaping global power dynamics. China and Russia each pursue different strategies toward Africa, but they share the goals of subverting U.S. and European influence, while seeking economic gains. Let’s explore each country’s interests and strategies in West Africa and consider their implications. Keep an eye out for more JSOU Snapshots in the near future!