It is indeed an Honor to receive this Award. Thank you Governor Herbert for your support of all types of sports events in Utah. Jeff Robbins, thank you for your untiring devotion to bringing major sports events to Utah--and now your efforts to help bring the Winter Olympics back to Utah. Good Luck!

I am forever grateful to former Governor Mike Leavitt, for having the opportunity to serve on several boards including the 2002 Winter Olympics. It was fortuitous when the governor asked me to join him on a helicopter ride to Provo, Utah to meet the arrival of the Olympic Flame, just days before the Olympic Opening Ceremonies on February 8, 2002. I remember the governor asking me where my Swearing-in ceremony as U.S. Ambassador was going to be held, and suggested it could be held at Utah State Capitol, since Secretary of State Colin Powell would be in Utah. The next day the governor called to say it was all set. To hold this once-in-a-life time ceremony, just minutes before the Winter Olympics Opening Program, will be remembered forever by our family.

Sports activities have been a very important part of my life. My interest in rare vintage race cars began with their restoration and preservation. It was the driver’s endurance in these hand-made racing machines, pushing the limit, which had piqued my interest. Among them was Ab Jenkins, an early 20th century racing legend, who brought the world’s best drivers to Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats to compete. It is important to preserve this early racing history for future generations.

Today, there is a great concern about continuing to race on the diminishing salt flats. However Utah’s HCR 10 Resolution is intended to help replenish the salt. Tonight we have with us Al Teague, who with his “Spirit of 76 Streamliner” set the world’s land-speed record in 1991 at 409.98 miles per hour, which was held until 2017. This unique record-setter is part of the Price Museum of Speed Collection.

Again Governor Herbert and Jeff Robbins, I am most appreciative for this Award.

1. Opening Remarks:

   a. Thank you for your interest in learning more about Africa.

   b. Africa is halfway around the world.

   c. It is the second most populous and second largest continent, with 11.7 million square miles covering 6% of earth’s surface and 20% of the land area.

   d. The African continent can fit the US almost three times; or the US plus China, India, and most of Europe.

   e. Have any of you been to Africa?

   f. Why are you interested in knowing more about Africa? What is your knowledge of Africa?

2. Introduction to Africa:

   a. Our focus will be on sub-Saharan Africa which has a long tribal history, going back to the beginning of mankind. We will include North Africa which consists mainly of Maghreb Arabs and Berber tribal clans making up 95 % of the population. We will discuss the colonial history and its legacy, and today’s neo-colonialism. We will also the US-Africa policy. The goal will be to introduce the class to the African continent and the surrounding region.

   b. There will be three countries assignments. Each paper will consist of 1,200+ words, plus a 5-minute class presentation.

   c. Each paper shall include an introduction, one or two timely topics, and a solution-conclusion.

3. Africa dates back in history as a tribal society, until European and Middle Eastern countries introduced their religions and cultures starting in the 7th century. Most of the earlier settlements were located within 100 miles of the coastal areas.

4. The “Partition of Africa” took place in 1885 at the Berlin Conference, organized to settle colonial land claims; to avoid conflict among the European countries.

   a. Colonial rule lasted until the 1980’s, but the legacy of culture, language, religion, government structure, economic and military ties continue in the form of “neocolonialism”.

   b. Egypt was the first country to gain Independence in 1956, followed by Ghana in 1957; Kenya, Tanzania, and Somalia in 1960.

   c. Ethiopia and Liberia were never colonized.

5. The colonial powers on exiting created irrational borders, with little consideration given to historic tribal homelands, or geographic boundaries.

6. Africa has a complex political legacy because of its colonial history.

7. Africa consists of 54 countries, with five (5) being in North Africa and 49 in sub-Saharan Africa.

8. North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa are separated by the vast Sahara Desert.

a. The south semiarid desert area is referred to as the Sahel region, consisting of Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Eritrea.

9. North Africa is mostly Muslim, while sub-Saharan Africa is 35% Muslim, 40% Christian, and numerous tribal cultures.

10. Islam spread to Africa from Asia in the 7th century.

11. Sub-Saharan Africa is multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-lingual with over 3,000 tribes and 2,000 native languages.

12. Africa has over 1.3 billion people, representing 18% of the world’s population, and growing at the rate of 2.7% annually.

   a. North Africa’s population is 200 million and sub-Saharan Africa is 1.1 billion.

   b. Africa in 2050 will have over 2.5 billion people and 4.5 billion by 2100 of which 3.9 billion will be in sub-Saharan Africa.

   c. The most populous country is Nigeria with 200 million, while the least populated is Seychelles with 95 thousand people.

   d. By 2030, the Muslim population in sub-Saharan Africa will be over 400 million, or 18% of the world’s Muslim population.

13. Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is youngest in the world with the median age being 19.7 versus globally 30.4 years.

14. Tribal influence still dominates the forces of power in most of Africa, although  neocolonialism casts a long shadow.

15. Top 10 African tribes:

    (1). Zulu- South Africa- 11 million.

    (2). Maasai- East Africa (Kenya)- 3 million.

    (3). San Bushmen- Botswana and Kalahari Desert (oldest inhabitants).

    (4). Yoruba- Nigeria and Benin- The largest tribe with 35 million.

    (5). Xhosa- Eastern Cape of South Africa.

    (6). Hausa- West Africa and Sahel region.

    (7). Himba- Namibia- 50,000 Aboriginals, known as the “Red People of Africa” (paste red clay-butter on bodies).

    (8). Oromo- Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia (35% of Ethiopia’s population).

    (9). Kalenjin- Western Highlands of Kenya (home of Elite Marathon runners).

    (10). Chaga- Tanzania (first tribe to embrace Christianity).

16. Other Notable Tribes- Afar in Horn of Africa; Amhara in Ethiopia; Asante in West Africa; Berber in North Africa (3000 BC); Dogon in Mali; Dinka in South Sudan; Fang in Gabon; Tutsi and Hutu in Rwanda and Burundi; Kikuyu and Luo in Kenya; Tuareg in Mali and Niger; Swahili in East Africa; Somali in Horn of Africa.

17. Ten (10) Least Corrupt African Countries- Mauritius, Botswana, Cape Verde, Ghana, Lesotho, Namibia, Seychelles, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa.

18. Twenty-four (24) Most Corrupt African Countries- Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Burundi, Republic of Congo, Chad, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eritrea, Madagascar, Cameroon, Uganda, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Mauritania, Kenya; Swaziland, Algeria, Libya, Egypt.

19. African Heads of State in power for more than 30 years:

   (1). Equatorial Guinea- Teodoro Obiang - more than 42 years.

   (2). Cameroon- Paul Biya- more than 39 years.

   (3). Uganda- Yoweri Museveni- more than 35 years.

   (4). eSwatini (Swaziland)- King Mswati III- almost 35 years.

   (5). Chad- Idriss Deby- more than 30 years (died in 2021).

20. African Heads of State for more than 20 years:

   (1). Eritrea- Isaias Afwerki - almost 28 years.

   (2). Djibouti- Ismail Omar Guelleh - almost 22 years.

   (3). Morocco - King Mohammed VI - more than 22 years.

   (4). Rwanda - Paul Kagame - almost 21 years.

   (5). Republic of the Congo- Denis Sassou Nguesso - 24 years.

   (6). Angola’s President Dos Santos stepped down in 2017 after 38 years, and Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe was ousted after 37 years. In 2019 Sudan’s President al-Bashir was ousted after 30 years, and Algeria’s President Bouteflika was ousted after 20 years.

21. Sub-Saharan Africa per capita income is $300-$600/year, with 400 million Africans living on less than $2/ day.

22. Least Developed Countries- Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali.

23. Poverty and Health issues: Extreme poverty in Africa has decreased by 28% since 1990, yet 40% of the population still live at extreme poverty levels. Child mortality has been reduced by 60%, yet 40% do not have access to malaria prevention which kills 400,000 per year.

   a. Today 86% of children have basic vaccines; 300 million women (27%) use contraceptives.

   b. Disease funding in Africa- 60% is provided by the US Institute of Health, plus sources like Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

24. Education- An important step in poverty reduction, needs more attention in Africa especially for young girls. Quality teachers are needed to achieve a productive future, and job-related skills. Supplying sanitary napkins has seen a 17% drop in school absenteeism. Many young Africans are enrolled in university, vocational and technical school programs.

   a. In Ethiopia, a community-based organization has joined with the local government to help girls continue with their education, focusing on preventing child marriages, delaying childbirth, increased sex education, and addressing reproductive health issues.

   b. Safe houses for girls have been built near high schools since villages are spread far apart, eliminating long walking distances.

25. Food Security- Loss of Fertile Land to climate change and International “land grab” have added to the current high prevalence of hunger.

   a. International agricultural land sales and leases have taken place in Sudan, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt, and Liberia.

   b. Expropriation of private farmland by the government in South Africa, is similar to the government policy in Zimbabwe.

   c. Beneficiaries of the land grab in the sub-Saharan African countries include China, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, and India.

   d. The high demand for agricultural and wood products includes wheat, vegetables, fruits, flowers, coffee, tea, nuts and seeds, cocoa, maize, rice, and lumber.

   e. Demand for Industrial products includes minerals, oil and gas, diamonds, phosphates, and rare earth. 

26. Displacement of sub-Saharan Africans from their homes due to conflict exceeds 20 million, up from 14.1 million in 2016.

   a. Since 2016, the displaced population has jumped 42%, with 79% from five (5) countries- Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, and Central African Republic.

   b. Displacement of sub-Saharan Africans is 2.0 % of the population. In North Africa and the Middle East, it is over 5.0%.

   c. Apartheid in South Africa has displaced 3.5 million from their homes and land from 1948-1994.

27. Islamist extremism across the Sahel region has increased dramatically with on-going attacks by Islamist extremists.

   a. UN Military Missions in the Sahel region include Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger, Chad, Somalia.

   b. Presence of the US-Africa Command (AFRICOM) and French forces in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad.

28. Islamist extremists operating in the Sahel Region include Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM); Ansar Dine; Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA); Boko Haram; Al-Shabaab; Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

   a. From 2011-2020 over 40,000 Africans have been killed in Islamist attacks.

29. Axis of Evil – President George W. Bush used the phrase in his 2002 State of the Union address. He repeated the statement often to describe governments that sponsor terrorism. This quote had angered Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda followers, and other terrorist groups. They have since declared war, and undertaken terrorist attacks against the US and our allies, whom they consider infidels.

30. Africa has a powerful voting block at the United Nations, of 49 sub-Saharan African countries and five (5) North African countries. A total of 54 votes out of 193 UN voting members.

31. The European Union has six (6) Free Trade Agreements with African countries. This allows Duty-free access to the EU for products from Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland, and Lesotho, with increased market access for South Africa.

32. Intra-Africa Trade between sub-Saharan African countries has increased from 10% in 1995 to 19 % in 2019.

   a. Current African Trading Blocs: Southern African Development Community (SADC) with 15 countries; Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) with 21 countries; Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with 15 countries.

  b. Several African countries have developed direct trading relationships, such as Ghana with neighboring Ivory Coast and other countries.

33. The Arab Spring in 2010 started in North Africa with an anti-government uprising in Tunisia.

   a. It Spread to Egypt with the downfall and arrest of President Hosni Mubarak.

   b. In Tunisia President Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia.

   c. In Libya Muammar Gaddafi was deposed in 2011 and killed by Islamists.

   d. The discontent spread in 2012 to Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula.

   e. The fall out of the Arab Spring destabilized the Sahel region countries.

34. UN Resolution in 2011, gave South Sudan Independence from Sudan. Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993.

   a. Somaliland, a British Protectorate until 1960 had merged with Italian Somaliland to form the Federal Republic of Somalia. After 60 years of conflict, the UN has rejected Somaliland’s request for independence from Somalia.

35. UN Millennium Summit 2000, established a list of development goals to be achieved by the 189 UN member countries.

   a. Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to be achieved by 2015 consisted of eight (8) main targets:

      (1) Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger- Since 1990, 1 billion people have been lifted from extreme poverty.

      (2) Achieve universal primary education- Since 1990, access has increased by more than half.

      (3) Promote gender equality and empower women- 2/3 of the countries have achieved gender parity in primary education.

      (4) Reduce child mortality- Since 1990, deaths have been reduced by half, but the target was to drop by 2/3.

      (5) Improve maternal health- There has been a 50% improvement, but short of the 2/3 goal.

      (6) Combat HIV/AIDS and Malaria- Since 2000, malaria cases have fallen over 50%, and infectious diseases as HIV/AIDS fell 40%.

      (7) Ensure environmental sustainability- Since 1990, 2.6 billion people have gained access to clean drinking water, which cut in half people without culinary water.

      (8) Develop global partnerships for development. Some progress has been made.

36. UN Conference in 2012, added Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to be achieved by 2030. Seventeen (17) goals would reset the 2000 MDC goals. Progress had been made in reducing poverty, access to free primary education, clean drinking water, reduction in child mortality, improved maternal healthcare, reduction in HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

    a. The SDG goals would include climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace, and justice.

37. China’s Senior leaders have visited Africa 79 times since 2007, to 43 African countries. Since the 1950’s, six (6) US Presidents have visited Africa. President Reagan and President Trump did not visit Africa.

   (1). President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Morocco (formerly French West Africa), Gambia and Liberia.

   (2). President Jimmy Carter visited Nigeria and Liberia.

   (3). President George H.W. Bush visited Somalia.

   (4). President Bill Clinton visited Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Botswana, Senegal, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

   (5). President George W. Bush visited Senegal, South Africa, Botswana, Uganda, Nigeria, Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Liberia.

   (6). President Barack Obama visited Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

38. Africa-China Summits are held with Heads of State every 2-3 years. Seven have been held through 2019, for economic investment, infrastructure projects and direct loans.

39. For China’s Belt and Road Initiative, known as “China’s Maritime Silk Road”, China had pledged $60 billion in 2018 for development projects, with over half being in collateralized loans. Any defaults would affect port ownership, port opérations and natural resources of several African countries.

   a. Some African countries owe China double their annual economic output (GDP), like Djibouti which is already in default.

   b. Over 90% of African trade depend on the ports, so operation and ownership are concerns to US interests.

   c. China’s control of the ports could also limit US commercial access.

   d. China uses the ports to collect intelligence.

   e. China has funded 46 port projects. Chinese companies build and operate them.

   f. Djibouti, as a debt consideration, allowed China to build its first overseas port and military base in the Indian Ocean. Djibouti’s debt was 39% of GDP in 2019.

   g. Djibouti is also home to the US Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa (CJTF/HOA). This base is critical for military assistance to sub-Saharan African countries. CJTF/HOA‘S mission was expanded during the Iraqi war in 2003, to track terrorists and terrorist attacks in the region.

   h. The African Union headquarters in Ethiopia was built by Chinese contractors who embedded listening devices in the building.

   i. Most of China’s funded projects are built by using imported Chinese workers.

40. US-Engagement of Africa has been sporadic. The annual UN General Assembly in New York provides the opportunity for high-level meetings. The annual African Union Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia also provides the opportunity to meet with African leaders.

    a. The US has held several high-level ministerial meetings, the first being in 1999 with Secretary of State Madeline Albright, and 180 ministers from 43 African countries.

   b. US-Africa Summit in 2014, was held with fifty (50) African country leaders. 

   c. US engagement with African leaders has been minimal since the 2014 Summit.

   d. US needs to restart high-level Summit meetings, as well as sending high-level delegations to Africa on a regular basis.

   e. American diplomats also need more training on business and security related matters in dealing with China’s presence throughout Africa.

   f. US Ambassador positions in several African countries have been left unfilled, which affects top-level bilateral in-country relations. There are also several African countries without a formal US embassy.

   g. Some of the US embassies also are not fully staffed.

   h. US recently increased investments in Africa, mainly to counter China’s predatory practices.

   i. Bilateral trade and investment agreements need to be beneficial for Africa and the US. However, there is a long list of conditions to be met by the African countries, such as democracy, improved governance etc.

41. US-Africa Policy- Trump Administration focused on three (3) core objectives:

   a. Advance trade and commercial ties with key African countries to increase U.S. and African prosperity.

   b. Protecting the US from cross-border health and security threats.

   c. Support African countries progress toward stability, improved governance, and self-reliance.

42. US-Africa Policy- “Enduring Partnership”- State Department’s new mission statement:

 “The United States is committed to partnering with Africa on a wide range of issues, from economic development and trade to peace and security; from democracy and human rights to expanding opportunities for Africa’s youth. We work together to address global challenges, including health security and climate change, and we celebrate the diversity of Africa, its rich heritage, and the deep cultural connections between Americans, Africans, and people throughout the diaspora.”

43. State Department budget FY 2021-2022, for all operations and international assistance programs is $58.5 billion or 1% of the US military budget of $800 billion.

44. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was enacted under President Clinton in May 2000. The AGOA trade program has been the core of US economic trade policy in sub-Saharan Africa.  AGOA provides eligible countries with duty-free access to the US market with more than 5,000 approved products.

   a. There are 38 African countries eligible for the AGOA benefits as of 2020.  In 2015 Congress passed legislation to extend the AGOA program through 2025.

   b. AGOA eligible countries have exported nearly $500 billion worth of products to the US. The exports have succeeded in helping the African to countries grow, diversify their products, create employment, and provide economic opportunity.

   c. AGOA Forum, since 2001 has held annual trade conferences with African Finance and Trade Ministers from the qualified African countries.

45. State Department Assistance Programs for FY 2021 have a budget of $5 billion, of which 70% goes for health-related issues. The amount was reduced from $7 billion in FY 2019.

    a. US Agency for International Development (USAID) – Provides agricultural development assistance, economic growth programs, education access and humanitarian assistance, also partnerships with the private sector.

    b. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), was stablished in 2003 by President George W. Bush. Provides anti-viral therapy, which has helped over 20 million people, primarily in Africa. To date over $85 billion has been committed to the program.

    c. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), to control and eliminate malaria globally, is one of the leading causes of premature death and disability. It was launched by President Bush in 2005 and focuses on 24 countries. The FY2021 budget is $980 million.

   d. Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)- Investment in the next generation of African leaders. Since 2010, YALI has graduated more than 24,000 alumni from the Mandela Washington Fellowship exchange program and its four Regional Leadership Centers (RLCs) located across the African continent, with a membership of 700,000 online. Investment in YALI is to spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security.

   e. Feed the Future- Is a hunger and food security initiative to help develop the agriculture sectors, to alleviate poverty and hunger.

   f. Prosper Africa- A Trump Administration initiative to increase two-way trade and investment by connecting US and African businesses and investors with new business opportunities. Established to counter China’s political, economic, and military power in Africa.

   g. Africa Development Foundation (ADF) - Community based self-help initiatives that alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development. ADF is an independent US government agency established to invest directly in African grass root enterprises to increase incomes, revenues, and jobs by promoting self-reliance and market-based solutions to poverty.

   h. US Export-Import Bank (EXIM)- Is the official US export credit agency which supports export financing through loans, guarantees and insurance programs when private sector financing is not available.     

      (1) Participate with the Private Sector on projects in Africa.

   i. US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)- Primarily is responsible for providing and facilitating financing of private development projects in low and middle-income countries. The Trump Administration budgeted $60 billion for financing to counter China’s investments in Africa.

   j. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) – Financial Awards given to countries for good governance and reducing poverty through economic growth. The program emphasizes the need for good economic policies in recipient countries. The Bush Administration established the program believing that development aid works better in countries with good economic policies, such as free markets and low corruption.

   k. Peace Corps- Consists of 7,000 volunteers sent to help countries meet their development needs by building capacity and to promote a better understanding of Americans around the world. The volunteers undertake education, construction, health, agriculture, and environmental programs in local communities, usually where other US programs are unable to reach the people.

   l. Power Africa- Increase the number of people with access to electricity. Almost 70% of sub-Saharan Africa is without electricity.

     (1). In 2013, the US committed an initial investment of $7 billion. The goal was to provide 30,000 megawatts of electricity, for 60 million homes and businesses by 2030. A total of $300 billion is needed.

     (2). Power Projects since 2014 have provided over 22 million new connections or 33% of the 2030 goal. There are over 20 countries with 120 projects, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) commitments of $56 billion, from 170 public and private sector investors.

46. Job and service opportunities to consider:

   a. State Department- Foreign Service Institute training center.

   b. Peace Corps volunteers.

   c. NGO’s- Global Internships.

   d. Private Foundations- Gates Foundation etc. Internships.

   e. Public and Private Corporations- Internships.

   f. Think Tank Internships-- Cato Institute, Woodrow Wilson Center, Brookings Institution, Atlantic Council, Carnegie Institute for Peace, Council on Foreign Relations, Africa Center for Strategic Studies.

   g. Military service.

   h. United Nations Internships.

Good Evening:

To the Members of the Salt Lake Committee on Foreign Relation and Guests

The destabilization in the Middle East and Africa over the past 60 years may be overshadowed by the events unfolding today in the Crimea. It may well become the gravest situation since WWII.

Russia's move into the Crimea has the Muslim Tartar population of 250,000 concerned. They still have memories of Stalin deporting them in 1944, and returning in the late 1980s.

Tatar extremists are fighting in Syria. The danger is that al-Qaeda linked Islamists could destabilize the region, which could reach the European countries.

Ukraine has moved their troops from the Crimea. The U.S. and Britain are planning a joint military exercise in Ukraine, which will anger Russia.

Russia has said it may withdraw from talks to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions. Also they may not press Syria further on their chemical weapons arsenal removal.

NATO today has suspended cooperation with Russia.

So time will tell the impact of Russia's incursion into the Crimea.

The destabilization of the Middle East and Africa can be traced back to the irrational borders created by the colonialists, which separated tribal, ethnic and religious clans.

Poverty, jobs, high food prices, and government repression have brought about many of the conflicts in the region. Disputes over the natural resources have added to the instability.

The Arab Spring started in December 2010 with self-immolation of a Tunisian street vendor whose fruit cart was confiscated by local officials. Demonstrators took to the streets in Tunisia, and soon followed in Egypt, Libya, and Yemen over poverty conditions and government brutality.

The ousting of the ruler Zine Ben Ali in Tunisia, Hosoi Mubarak in Egypt, Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, and Abdullah Saleh in Yemen has not brought about democracy or peace in those countries.

In Egypt the State Department coached the Muslim Brotherhood on how to organize an election. Mohamed Morsi their candidate won, but soon pressed to institute Sharia law. One year later he was deposed in a military coup.

The Sinai Peninsula is now in chaos, with Islamists infiltrating the area, which threatens Israel's security.

The US-NATO incursion into Libya emboldened al-Qaeda linked Islamists that had trained in the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa.

Since Gaddafi's demise there have been attacks on government officials, diplomats, and aid workers. In 2012 the Islamists attacked the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, killing the ambassador and three other Americans.

Libya has the largest oil reserves in Africa, and the 5th largest in the world. Europe has been the main customer, but Gaddafi kept raising prices and made oil ministers negotiations difficult.

Oil exports have now been cut off by Islamists that control the ports in eastern Libya. At the port of al-Sidra last week a North Korean tanker was loaded with 240,000 barrels of oil.

Prime Minister Ali Zeidan was ousted by the parliament for not stopping the ship from leaving. On Monday U.S. Navy Seals seized the ship in International waters.

Building democratic institutions in Libya so far have failed, with Islamists controlling large sections of the country.

Syria is in its 3rd year of a chaotic civil war, in which tribal and religious factions and Islamist rebels are fighting for control.

There are almost 11,000 Islamists now in Syria, coming from nearby Arab countries, Iran and Europe.

Bashar al-Assad is supported by Russia. If he is ousted, democratic institutions will be difficult to take hold, as is the case in Libya.

Assad's minority Alawite tribal members are concerned, knowing that Gaddafi's minority Warfalla tribal members were slaughtered after his demise.

In Iraq since the U.S. troops left there has been an increase in Islamist attacks. More than 1,000 people were killed in February, and more than 8,000 last year.

Prime Minister al-Maliki stated Saudi Arabia and Qatar are supporting the al­ Qaeda affiliates operating in Iraq and Syria.

Qatar also supports Islamist extremists in Africa, including the Muslim Brotherhood.

AI-Maliki noted that Jordan has become the base for dissident Iraqis planning to topple his administration. Over a million Palestinian refugees and 600,000 Syrian refugees are now in the country. Jordan is at risk of uprisings that could further destabilize the region.

Yemen has seen increased fighting in the north between Shiites and Sunnis, with 40 people killed recently. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) located in the south has become a dominant force throughout the region.

In Bahrain Shiites have demonstrated against the minority Sunni Monarchy. Last week a bomb killed three policemen. The terrorists had retaliated for the jailing and torture of the demonstrators.

The U.S. Fifth Fleet, our largest naval presence in the Gulf region is located there.

In Iran mistrust of the U.S. goes back to 1951. The monarchy at the time was replaced by Mohammad Mosaddegh, who was elected as prime minister. He nationalized the British owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company.

In 1953 the British Ml 6 and CIA clandestinely helped to depose Mosaddegh. The U.S. brought to power Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, who we supported until 1979 when he was ousted by Islamists, who brought back the fundamentalist cleric, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

In 1979 the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, beginning the ten year war against the mujahedeen warlords, which the U.S. clandestinely supported.

Osama bin Laden crune in 1982 to help the mujahedeen and became our ally at the time. He formed al-Qaeda (the Base) with his Arab fighters in 1988.

When the Soviets withdrew in 1989 the U.S. ceased giving support to the mujahedeen. Soon the warlords started fighting each other for control of the country. The U.S. should have stayed to help build democratic institutions.

The Taliban (students) were indoctrinated in Pakistan madrassas, and received military training also. They went back to fight the warlords and ended up with control of the country. They gave al-Qaeda a safe haven in Afghanistan.

While in Sudan from 1991 to 1996, Osama bin Laden planned many of his attacks against the U.S.--the World Trade Center in 1993, the two U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998, the USS Cole in Yemen in 2000, and September 11, 2001 attacks.

In 2001 U.S. and NATO forces invaded Afghanistan looking for bin Laden and to destroy al-Qaeda; also to remove the Taliban from power. In the 12 year war the U.S. also supported the ruler Hamid Karzai.

On Saturday Karzai said, "The country didn't need U.S. troops to remain once the combat mission ends in December 2014". He added "The war was imposed on Afghanistan".

To show his contempt for the U.S. in February he released 65 Taliban fighters from the Bagram prison.

A U.S. military commander noted, "al-Qaeda will regain a large presence in Afghanistan when the military withdraws at the end of this year.

Killing Osama bin Laden in May 2011 did not diminish al-Qaeda's influence. In fact new affiliates have been emboldened. Today Islamists goals are more regional-that of creating Islamic states.

In Sub-Saharan Africa:

Saudi funded charities have built numerous madrassas and mosques, and support al-Qaeda.

In Somalia AI-Shabaab (Youth) has recruited many young followers. UN troops have been attacking them regularly. In retaliation the Islamists recently staged attacks in Uganda and Kenya.

In Mali the French-led forces in 2013 drove Islamist militants out of the northern desert towns. The concern today is that the AQIM, MOJWA, and other Islamists in the vast Sahel region will return.

In January 2014 Burkina Faso became the "West African Spring". Many demonstrators marched against the government's failure to improve living standards, and today continue to oppose the current government.

However the concern is that if President Compaore ousted, a power vacuum would open the door to Islamists that are active in the region.

The Islamists continue their attacks daily across North Africa (Libya, Tunisia, Egypt), and the Sahel Region (Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Kenya and Somalia).

General Lloyd Austin, head of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) recently told the House Armed Service Committee that the "Middle East has looming dangers, emanating from Iran, Syria, Afghanistan".

The way forward:

Inconsistent U.S. Foreign Policy has to change. Lectures on democracy will not put food in children's mouths.

U.S. economic interests seem to come before building democratic institutions.

Partner with China on security matters--Africa and the Middle East (Israel). To build democracy, you need to first unify the differing ethnic factions. The U.S. AFRICOM/CJTF-HOA needs to train country military in Africa. USAID needs to establish agricultural programs to reduce hunger.

Expand AGOA for duty-free access to U.S. markets, to create more jobs.

The announced "Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) to increase trade, economic growth, and investments in Africa needs to be implemented.

The "Power Africa" program, with seed money of $7 billion, needs to be increased sine more than 80% of Africans will still be in the dark. The program requires $300 billion.

Expand the Peace Corps and create a new Senior Peace Corps.

There needs to be a focus on Primary education, an alternative to madrassas religious indoctrination, in the Muslim dominated countries.

We need more organizations like "Doctors without Borders".

Resources need to be shared with the people. Limits need to be set on foreign mineral extraction, without local benefit.

Al-Qaeda affiliates (18) operating in Africa and the Middle East

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)--Mali and Algeria

Movement for Oneness in Jihad in West Africa (MOJWA)--Mali and Niger Ansar Dine--Mali

Ansar al-Sharia-Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Syria Al-Shabaab-Somalia

ADF-Nalu-Uganda Egyptian Islamic Jihad

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula--Yemen and Syria Al-Nusra Front--Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) Fatah al-Islam--Lebanon

In other regions:

East Turkestan Islamic Movement--Pakistan Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan

Taliban-Afghanistan, Pakistan Caucasus Emirate--Russia

Lashkar-e-Taiba--Kashmir and Pakistan Jaish-e-Mohammed--Kashmir