US military seeks new alliances in West Africa after Niger ousting [Video]

• The top U.S. general is visiting Africa to discuss preserving U.S. presence in West Africa after Niger’s decision to expel U.S. military in favor of Russia.
• Air Force General C.Q. Brown discussed exploring opportunities with existing partners in West Africa to relocate capabilities previously stationed in Niger.
• The U.S. has initiated talks with countries like Benin, Ivory Coast and Ghana to potentially reposition military assets.

The top U.S. general is making a rare trip to Africa to discuss ways to preserve some of the U.S. presence in West Africa after Niger decided to kick out the U.S. military in favor of partnering with Russia in a major setback for Washington.

Air Force General C.Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters before landing in Botswana on Monday for a gathering of African chiefs of defense that he was going to speak with several partners in the region.

“I do …