Follow CGSP on Social Media

Listen to the CGSP Podcast

U.S. Defense Secretary Wraps Up Tour of North Africa With a Parting Shot Towards China

by Eric Olander

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper wrapped up a low-profile five-day, four-country tour of the Mediterranean and North Africa over the weekend and just before he left, he fired off one final diss against China and Russia, accusing them of engaging in “destabilizing actions on the continent.“

In fact, countering growing Chinese and Russian military influence in the MENA region was a key theme of Secretary Esper’s visit. He warned his hosts at each stop of the dangers of becoming too close to these countries. 

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More

You Might Like

Two Contrasting Views of U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s Recent Visit to North Africa

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper made his first official visit to Africa last week, visiting four countries in North Africa and the Mediterranean. Not surprisingly, Secretary Esper spoke at every opportunity about the ...

Chinese Propaganda Still Fuming Over Pentagon Claim that Beijing Wants to Build an Atlantic Military Base in Africa

It’s been exactly a month since the Wall Street Journal published the Pentagon’s latest claim (albeit not a new assertion) that China plans to build a new ...

This Exchange on Capitol Hill Explains Why the Pentagon Keeps Saying China Wants to Build a New Base in Africa

For the past year or so, General Stephen Townsend, the top U.S. commander for Africa (AFRICOM) has said repeatedly that China is looking to build a new military base on ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.