What Happened
Why Counter Militancy Efforts Have Not Produced Lasting Gains
Despite significant investment in counter-militancy efforts, West African states have struggled to produce lasting security gains against violent militant groups. The region’s security forces often face operational challenges, including limited mobility, poor logistics, and weak intelligence, which are compounded by structural deficits such as weak state capacity and fragmented authority. As a result, militant groups have been able to exploit these weaknesses and maintain their presence in the region. This article, published in the Texas National Security Review, examines the reasons behind the failure of military operations to secure territory in West Africa and suggests that a new approach is needed to address the root causes of militant expansion.