Reporting News and opinions
In the fearful months and years following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, Western democracies faced an unenviable dilemma. Their citizens demanded protection from an enemy that recognised no borders, wore no uniforms and deliberately targeted civilians.
Trump’s business career has long been characterized as embodying “con-artist” tactics: aggressive promotion, leveraging his personal brand for high-margin or low-substance ventures, heavy debt leverage, selective truth-stretching in marketing, and frequent legal disputes.
The performance requires a villain. Africa has been performing that role for free, and at some cost to itself for considerably longer than it should have.
Donald Trump’s return to the White House marked the triumph of image over expertise. Cabinet positions increasingly resembled casting decisions. Loyalty became more important than experience. Television skills became more valuable than administrative competence.
But wars are not graded like Olympic gymnastics. There are no medals for technical execution if the end result leaves your opponent intact, emboldened, or—worse—adapted.
Centre for Nigeria Progress 