A Command For Africa

By SALLY B. DONNELLY

In a sign that the U.S. military is readjusting to fight what it calls "the long war" against terrorism, the Pentagon is expected to announce shortly the creation of a military command focusing on the world's most neglected region: Africa. The move would signal a shift from a cold war--era posture toward one emphasizing proactive, preventive measures.

The Pentagon has nine combatant commands, with responsibility for Africa awkwardly divided among three: the European Command, Pacific Command and Central Command (Centcom); the last is responsible for Iraq and Afghanistan. An African Command would eliminate that cumbersome structure. But critics say it could compound an existing problem: "The size and number of headquarters already are skewed too far in favor of 'tail' at the expense of war-fighting 'teeth,'" says a retired military officer.

Intelligence and military officers have long urged that more attention be paid to Africa; some believe an enhanced presence would cut the need for "teeth." Centcom has had a small contingent in the Horn of Africa state of Djibouti since 2002, and Centcom commander General John Abizaid told the Senate Armed Services Committee in March that the unit has helped "discredit extremist propaganda and bolster local desires and capabilities to defeat terrorists before they can become entrenched." How? By training local forces, digging wells and building schools--not to mention goodwill.