United States strategic military access in Northeast Africa

Abstract

This study examines and assesses the implications of U.S. efforts to obtain strategic military access in four Northeast African states: Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, and Kenya. Accomplishment of USCENTCOM's different missions requires access at various levels to varying degrees. This study establishes a general hierarchy of access priorities in the six most critical complexes in the region. Despite U.S. military and economic assistance programs which are designed to deter Soviet expansion, increase American influence, and create regional stability, U.S. access has not been attained. A concern of American decision makers is that increased political pressure on the current regimes in Northeast Africa would be counterproductive to regional stability. For these reasons, strategic planners must consider alternatives to access, including elimination of USCENTCOM; reducing its size and mission, or maintaining the current force structure while expanding its strategic mobility.