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As Iran Looks to Hit US Interests, it May Turn to Africa

Salem Solomon

   WASHINGTON - Africa could emerge as a venue for confrontation between
   the U.S. and Iran as Tehran threatens to retaliate after the U.S.
   airstrike that killed the Iranian Quds Force commander, General Qassem
   Soleimani.

   Iran has sought to increase its influence in certain countries in
   Africa in recent years through activities such as arms sales, training
   fighters for combat in the Middle East and funding Shia sects. It also
   has significant trade relations with several countries, including South
   Africa.

   Phillip Smyth, a Soref Fellow at The Washington Institute who studies
   Shia Islamist militarism, said that he does not necessarily expect the
   Iranians to strike immediately. He noted that they have historically
   been cautious and look for what he calls "plausible deniability" to
   avoid detection when they attack.

   When they do strike, he said, it is possible they will look for a soft
   target in an unexpected location.

   "The Iranians are going to want to show that they have influence on a
   global scale and they may look for low-hanging fruit or easier targets
   that they can go after," Smyth said. "And that may very well occur in
   Africa. And it could very well occur in North America or Europe or in
   many other places," he said.

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