Abstract
This Independent Study examines how Russian and Chinese investments, military cooperation, and diplomatic initiatives influence United States strategic calculations in Africa. Niger and the Central African Republic (CAR) were selected as case studies due to their distinct profiles—Niger for its economic significance and CAR for its military strategic importance amid ongoing internal conflict.
Drawing on qualitative data from government documents, policy statements, and expert interviews, this research investigates the complex dynamics of geopolitical competition as manifested in African geopolitical landscapes. Grounded in realist theory and realpolitik principles, which emphasize states' pursuit of power and national interests in an anarchic international system, I hypothesize that increased Russian and Chinese engagement in these nations corresponds with decreased U.S. involvement.
Through comparative case studies, interviews with regional experts, and comprehensive analysis of diplomatic, military, and economic interactions, the findings substantiate the hypothesis. The research demonstrates that as Russian private military contractors established a foothold in CAR and Chinese economic investment intensified in Niger, U.S. diplomatic and development initiatives in these regions diminished proportionally, revealing a pattern of strategic recalibration.
The findings support realist theory, showing how states adjust to shifting dynamics to protect national interests. For example, U.S. retrenchment reflects power-balancing behavior. Realpolitik underscores the pragmatic nature of these strategies, while the dependency theory highlights structural economic disadvantages shaping African states’ foreign relations. Together, these frameworks reveal the need for evolved theoretical approaches better to capture the complexities of contemporary global engagement in Africa.
Advisor
Kim, Sekwen
Department
International Relations
Recommended Citation
Dogo, Anaïs S., "U.S. Strategy Shift in Response to Rising Powers in Africa: A Realpolitik and Neorealism Perspective: Is the Economic and Military Engagement of the U.S. in Niger and C.A.R. Influenced by the Competition from Russia and China?" (2025). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 11552.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/11552
Publication Date
2025
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2025 Anaïs S. Dogo