In a bold recalibration of its Africa strategy, the United States is encouraging North African and Sahelian nations to assume primary responsibility for their own security operations. The new posture, recently outlined by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Michael Langley during African Lion 2025 exercises, represents more than just a military pivot. It is a recognition that American interests are better served through strategic patience, partnership and prioritization, not permanent presence.
For decades, the U.S. has been stretched thin across multiple theaters — from Eastern Europe to the Indo-Pacific. North Africa, while strategically important, cannot be an arena of indefinite U.S. engagement. The region is evolving. Partner nations are stronger, and many are increasingly capable of managing internal threats and regional instability with targeted U.S. support rather than full-scale American deployments.
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A target is hit with artillery fire as US and Moroccan military forces take part in the 21st edition of the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 23, 2025
(Photo: AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
The new model emphasizes joint military exercises like African Lion, military education and capacity building, counterterrorism intelligence sharing and remote advising and offshore drone capability. This is not a drawdown of interest — it is a maturation of the U.S.-Africa relationship.
This policy shift isn’t about walking away. It’s about walking smarter. It’s the U.S. saying to Africa: “You lead. We support. Together, we stabilize.” For too long, American involvement has been interpreted as a necessity, but sometimes restraint is the most potent form of leadership. What the U.S. is doing in Africa isn’t retreat. It’s judo — using geopolitical weight wisely, with minimal force, for maximum impact.
China continues to pour billions into African infrastructure, including dual-use ports with potential military value. Russia, meanwhile, is increasing its military footprint, including a confirmed naval base deal with Sudan and lingering Wagner Group ties in Libya and Mali. While great power competition heats up, the U.S. is taking a different tack: supporting sovereign African leadership. Rather than create dependency, the U.S. is building resilience. This keeps American values central and American interests protected — all without costly and unpopular interventions.
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Members of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces stand guard as they take part in the 21st edition of the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 23, 2025
(Photo: AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
In Tunisia, Morocco, and increasingly Algeria, we see capable forces developing indigenous security solutions. African Lion 2025 involved 27 nations and 9,100 troops, underscoring multilateral cooperation. Tunisia hosted key segments of the operation, marking a milestone in its security readiness. Morocco continues to be a linchpin of regional military planning. Algeria — long seen as a Russian ally — is slowly engaging more with U.S. forces, a development that deserves attention. These shifts demonstrate that when you trust partners with responsibility, they rise to meet the challenge.
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This is also a smart counterterrorism strategy. Violent extremist organizations across the Sahel, including ISIS-GS and Al-Qaeda affiliates, thrive in power vacuums. But U.S. troops directly engaging these actors is no longer sustainable — politically or operationally. Instead, by enabling local forces and supporting their command structures, the U.S. creates an environment where terrorism can be suppressed organically.
Critics will label this as "abandonment" or "retreat." They’re wrong. This is a recalibrated form of engagement, one that mirrors the demands of a multipolar world. Strategic patience allows the U.S. to reserve strength for flashpoints where American action is irreplaceable, while still nurturing durable influence abroad.
Amine AyoubAnd it’s not just about security. This military shift complements U.S. economic and diplomatic strategy in the region. By stepping back militarily, America is doubling down on trade, infrastructure and digital diplomacy — areas where influence can be long-term, not reactive. It positions the U.S. as a partner of choice, not a patron of necessity.
This sends a clear signal to adversaries. While China and Russia invest in transactional relationships and extractive agreements, America is investing in self-reliance. When African nations fight for their own sovereignty with U.S. tools, training and backing, the strategic win is deeper and more enduring. It creates loyalty, not leverage.
This pivot in U.S. Africa policy is not just timely — it’s visionary. It protects American interests, builds real allies and frees up resources for global challenges. In the end, a strong Africa that stands on its own legs is a stronger partner for the United States. This isn’t disengagement. It’s diplomacy by design. And it’s exactly what 21st-century American leadership looks like.
- Amine Ayoub is a policy analyst and writer based in Morocco.