230106-N-MR969-1037

230106-N-NO901-1037 NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (Jan. 6, 2023) – Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 and Airmen assigned to the 436th Maintenance Squadron work together to remove the rudder of a C-5M Super Galaxy with NMCB 11's Link-Belt HTC8640 Cat 1 Crane onboard Naval Station Rota, Spain, Jan. 6, 2023. NMCB 11 operates as a part of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and is assigned to Commander, Task Force 68 for deployment across the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Nira Galgana)

Security Vacuums and Great Power Competition in Africa

Published May 5, 2026
By USAFRICOM & AFRICOM J2

How would a prolonged United States–Iran war reshape strategic competition in Africa, and what long-term security vacuums might China, Iran, or Russia exploit at the expense of U.S. influence? Chinese and Russian involvement in Africa raises concerns, but Great Powers scrambling for influence in Africa is nothing new. Comparing their activity today against Great Power involvement in Africa in the past would likely yield important insights for U.S. policymakers. What advantages and disadvantages have Great Powers garnered from their involvement in Africa in the past, and how do their historical actions compare to how Russian, Chinese, or Iranian actors might exploit a modern security vacuum?

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