Liam Karr
@liamkarr.bsky.social
Africa Team Lead for @criticalthreats
Focus on security challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Opinions are my own. Reposts, follows, and likes ≠ endorsements.
Focus on security challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Opinions are my own. Reposts, follows, and likes ≠ endorsements.
These tradeoffs can only be effectively compared within a clear critical minerals strategy.
The U.S. should develop such a strategy and seek out partnerships that best suit this strategy, not build a strategy around external offers.
The U.S. should develop such a strategy and seek out partnerships that best suit this strategy, not build a strategy around external offers.
April 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
These tradeoffs can only be effectively compared within a clear critical minerals strategy.
The U.S. should develop such a strategy and seek out partnerships that best suit this strategy, not build a strategy around external offers.
The U.S. should develop such a strategy and seek out partnerships that best suit this strategy, not build a strategy around external offers.
US officials must compare these costs and risks against several other factors, such as:
- Mineral substitution and recycling efforts (supply)
- Domestic production boosts (supply)
- Alternative partners (supply)
- Potential shift from green energy (consumption)
- Mineral substitution and recycling efforts (supply)
- Domestic production boosts (supply)
- Alternative partners (supply)
- Potential shift from green energy (consumption)
April 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
US officials must compare these costs and risks against several other factors, such as:
- Mineral substitution and recycling efforts (supply)
- Domestic production boosts (supply)
- Alternative partners (supply)
- Potential shift from green energy (consumption)
- Mineral substitution and recycling efforts (supply)
- Domestic production boosts (supply)
- Alternative partners (supply)
- Potential shift from green energy (consumption)
US officials will need to consider the potential risk to American service members, billions in risky and possibly short-term unprofitable investments, and the challenging political situation in the DRC that has made the DRC a difficult partner for decades.
April 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
US officials will need to consider the potential risk to American service members, billions in risky and possibly short-term unprofitable investments, and the challenging political situation in the DRC that has made the DRC a difficult partner for decades.
The DRC has several "critical" minerals used in smartphones & defense systems vital for national security.
Still, the U.S. should minimize the risks of a partnership, clearly define American mineral needs, and explore possible alternatives to make sure a deal is worth the cost.
Still, the U.S. should minimize the risks of a partnership, clearly define American mineral needs, and explore possible alternatives to make sure a deal is worth the cost.
April 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
The DRC has several "critical" minerals used in smartphones & defense systems vital for national security.
Still, the U.S. should minimize the risks of a partnership, clearly define American mineral needs, and explore possible alternatives to make sure a deal is worth the cost.
Still, the U.S. should minimize the risks of a partnership, clearly define American mineral needs, and explore possible alternatives to make sure a deal is worth the cost.
It's worth keeping in mind the reports that Trump wants to scrap AFRICOM altogether: africa.businessinsider.com/local/leader...
You can read Gen. Langley's last two posture reviews here.
2025: armed-services.senate.gov/hearings/to-...
2024: www.africom.mil/about-the-co...
You can read Gen. Langley's last two posture reviews here.
2025: armed-services.senate.gov/hearings/to-...
2024: www.africom.mil/about-the-co...
The Trump administration is considering downsizing the U.S. Africa Command in Pentagon
The Trump administration is considering downsizing U
africa.businessinsider.com
April 3, 2025 at 8:06 PM
It's worth keeping in mind the reports that Trump wants to scrap AFRICOM altogether: africa.businessinsider.com/local/leader...
You can read Gen. Langley's last two posture reviews here.
2025: armed-services.senate.gov/hearings/to-...
2024: www.africom.mil/about-the-co...
You can read Gen. Langley's last two posture reviews here.
2025: armed-services.senate.gov/hearings/to-...
2024: www.africom.mil/about-the-co...
Russia was mentioned (or alluded to) 14 times in Gen. Langley's 2024 posture statement. Zero in 2025.
Langley mentioned China nine times in 2024, mostly discussing the Horn. The 2025 statement mentions China more than 20 times and covers Chinese activity across the continent.
Langley mentioned China nine times in 2024, mostly discussing the Horn. The 2025 statement mentions China more than 20 times and covers Chinese activity across the continent.
April 3, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Russia was mentioned (or alluded to) 14 times in Gen. Langley's 2024 posture statement. Zero in 2025.
Langley mentioned China nine times in 2024, mostly discussing the Horn. The 2025 statement mentions China more than 20 times and covers Chinese activity across the continent.
Langley mentioned China nine times in 2024, mostly discussing the Horn. The 2025 statement mentions China more than 20 times and covers Chinese activity across the continent.
The minerals talk comes with Trump's special advisor and other admin officials in the DRC to discuss a possible minerals-for-security partnership with the DRC: www.theafricareport.com/380621/boulo...
Boulos’ big adventure: What’s behind Trump envoy’s DRC mission - The Africa Report.com
Trump ties, a West African business dynasty and an abandoned tin mine – what to know about Massad Boulos, the US president’s new Africa adviser.
www.theafricareport.com
April 3, 2025 at 8:06 PM
The minerals talk comes with Trump's special advisor and other admin officials in the DRC to discuss a possible minerals-for-security partnership with the DRC: www.theafricareport.com/380621/boulo...
I would expect the current offensive to culminate in the next few weeks with the end of Ramadan and the onset of the Gu rainy season.
It will be important to see what areas the group holds/continues operating in before forecasting future operations in the dry season (~June).
It will be important to see what areas the group holds/continues operating in before forecasting future operations in the dry season (~June).
March 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I would expect the current offensive to culminate in the next few weeks with the end of Ramadan and the onset of the Gu rainy season.
It will be important to see what areas the group holds/continues operating in before forecasting future operations in the dry season (~June).
It will be important to see what areas the group holds/continues operating in before forecasting future operations in the dry season (~June).
They've tried to overturn the 2022 CT gains in central Somalia for years, and this offensive finally stuck.
A full return to pre-2022 would cut the roadway linking Mogadishu to central Somalia and create a staging ground for an assault on Mog.
A full return to pre-2022 would cut the roadway linking Mogadishu to central Somalia and create a staging ground for an assault on Mog.
March 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
They've tried to overturn the 2022 CT gains in central Somalia for years, and this offensive finally stuck.
A full return to pre-2022 would cut the roadway linking Mogadishu to central Somalia and create a staging ground for an assault on Mog.
A full return to pre-2022 would cut the roadway linking Mogadishu to central Somalia and create a staging ground for an assault on Mog.
In central Somalia, however, Shabaab successfully established themselves on the east bank of the Shabelle River, re-entered areas of central Somalia they haven't been since 2022, and temporarily overran some pretty big population centers.
March 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
In central Somalia, however, Shabaab successfully established themselves on the east bank of the Shabelle River, re-entered areas of central Somalia they haven't been since 2022, and temporarily overran some pretty big population centers.
There also hasn't been a significant change in foreign personnel movements around Mog that would signal the international community expects an imminent collapse.
March 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
There also hasn't been a significant change in foreign personnel movements around Mog that would signal the international community expects an imminent collapse.