These moves are drawing West Africa deeper into the ceaseless “War on Terror.” West Africa has always been part of the War on Terror, but with limitations. In 2012, a rebellion in Mali produced the first large-scale jihadist takeover in West Africa and gave way to a multi-sided war that still roils the Sahel. Trump’s successor will likely inherit an AFRICOM engaged in at least periodic strikes in both East Africa and West Africa. Strikes in West Africa are all too easily folded into a portfolio that contains many activities but few off-ramps.