AFRICOM

AFRICOM is an acronym for the U.S. military's newly formed African Command. Until relatively recently, Africa was deemed a secondary priority by the Department of Defense. Since 1983, security responsibilities in the region were split among U.S. European Command, Central Command, and Pacific Command. In deference to Africa's rising significance, President George W. Bush announced in 2007 the creation of a new combatant command AFRICOM. It will focus its efforts on the following,

• Enhancing America's military relationships with African countries
• Increasing the capabilities and professionalism of African militaries
• Bolstering development and stability in the region

Opposition to AFRICOM by the Democrat-led Congress has resulted in a 30 percent cut in funding for fiscal year 2009. These are the same weak-on-foreign-policy Democrats that prefer not to fight terrorism but to treat it as a law enforcement issue. AFRICOM is located in Germany.