For years, America’s counterterrorism focus centered on the Middle East. But according to the top U.S. military commander overseeing Africa, ISIS and al Qaeda have set up new headquarters on the continent.
In this special conversation recorded live at the McCain Institute Sedona Forum, Mosheh sits down with General Dagvin Anderson, head of AFRICOM, who warns that Africa has become the new “epicenter of global terrorism.”
The discussion explores the growing presence of ISIS and Al-Qaeda affiliates across the continent, including fears that an Al-Qaeda-linked group could soon seize control of Mali’s capital. General Anderson explains how terror groups are recruiting young people through jobs and economic opportunity before ideology, why Somalia has become one of America’s most active counterterrorism battlefields, and what worries him most about the current intelligence gaps in the region.
Mosheh and General Anderson also dive into the larger geopolitical battle unfolding across Africa — from Russia extracting gold and uranium to fund its war effort, to China expanding influence through infrastructure projects, media campaigns, and journalist training programs.
The conversation also covers critical minerals, information warfare, America’s global standing, and why the future of Africa could shape the future of global security and U.S. national interests for decades to come.
Mosheh Oinounou (@mosheh) is an Emmy and Murrow award-winning journalist. He has 20 years of experience at networks including Fox News, Bloomberg Television and CBS News, where he was the executive producer of the CBS Evening News and launched the network's 24 hour news channel. He founded the @mosheh Instagram news account in 2020 and the Mo News podcast and newsletter in 2022.
