Created Tue 18th Nov 2008 9:35pm PST by 
reverend_right
reverend_right 
Which African country will the Obama administration attack first?
Background: Last month, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) became operational, meaning there are now 1300 people whose responsibility is for planning and executing military operations in the African theater.
It is estimated by some in the US intelligence community that the US will import 25% of its oil from Africa by 2015 (that number is currently 15%). Along with other rare natural resources present in Africa, this means the continent will likely become increasingly important to the growth and survival of the American empire in coming years.
A place like Sudan, for example, offers an opportunity for the incoming administration , as it has billions of barrels of oil reserves, a significant Muslim population, and also harbors a well-known humanitarian crisis that would put a human face on any intervention, silencing much of what opposition may exist. This may not be the best example as intervening in Sudan would raise major issues with China, but it goes to show that the many conflicts and problems in Africa would likely provide sufficient cover if an imperial intervention is considered expedient.
It is estimated by some in the US intelligence community that the US will import 25% of its oil from Africa by 2015 (that number is currently 15%). Along with other rare natural resources present in Africa, this means the continent will likely become increasingly important to the growth and survival of the American empire in coming years.
A place like Sudan, for example, offers an opportunity for the incoming administration , as it has billions of barrels of oil reserves, a significant Muslim population, and also harbors a well-known humanitarian crisis that would put a human face on any intervention, silencing much of what opposition may exist. This may not be the best example as intervening in Sudan would raise major issues with China, but it goes to show that the many conflicts and problems in Africa would likely provide sufficient cover if an imperial intervention is considered expedient.
Settlement details:As reported by a major mainstream news source. An incident involving Somali pirates will not count. Any attack under the flags of the UN or NATO involving the U.S. military will count.
Forecast history %
| Nigeria |
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| Sudan |
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| Somalia |
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| Kenya |
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| Angola |
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| Zimbabwe |
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| Guinea |
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| Libya |
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| Other |
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| None |
|
Question suspends in 7 years
- Activity: H$40,950 |
- Predictions: 122 |
Comments: 5
Suspend date: Fri 20th Jan 2017 11:59pm PST (7 years to go)
Initial likelihoods: Nigeria: 20%, Sudan: 15%, Somalia: 15%, Kenya: 8%, Angola: 8%, Zimbabwe: 5%, Guinea: 3%, Libya: 5%, Other: 5%, None: 16%
Action history:
Created Tue 18th Nov 2008 9:35pm PST by reverend_right
reverend_right 
Suspend date: Fri 20th Jan 2017 11:59pm PST (7 years to go) details 
Get widget!Predictions (122)
pembeci
predicted None (H$5,000 at 54%)
lola
predicted Other (H$555 at 6%)
oberon
predicted None (H$100 at 40%)
predicted None (H$500 at 36%)Comments (5)
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This news is selected automatically based on the question, its background, options and tags
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have exceeded the 50 characters limit! Your E-mail: You have exceeded the 200 characters limit! Country: please choose Afghanistan Aland Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua & Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Ascension
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or do we have to have the cash tied up for 8 years.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned that the US will "take action" against Eritrea if it does not stop supporting militants in Somalia. She said after talks with Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, that Eritrea's actions were "unacceptable". She also said the US would expand support for Somalia's unity government. Eritrea denies supporting Somalia's al-Shabab militants, who are trying to overthrow Somalia's government. Al-Shabab is growing in strength and 250,000 Somalis have fled their homes in fighting between militants and government forces over the past three months.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8186781.stm
Aug. 7 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said a suicide plot in Australia allegedly linked to Somali militants is a reminder of the global threat posed by terrorists using Somalia as a training ground. Five people were charged this week with planning to attack an army barracks in western Sydney with automatic weapons in a plot prosecutors say is linked to the Somali Islamist militia al-Shabaab.
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http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aKBGv.tTNHZE
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