The first is that the countries straddle
a critical region between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa; long-established trade and
migration routes run through the area.2 The Sahel borders several countries—most notably
Algeria and Sudan—with serious internal security problems that can spill over. Most
Sahelian countries are lightly governed outside their capitals, giving potential access to
terrorist groups in outlying areas. Finally, the region has the potential for being a source of
important natural resources, particularly oil. All these factors have significantly increased
U.S. attention to the region. This article is intended to survey the terrorism environment in
the Sahel, the U.S.’s strategy for supporting regional counterterrorism efforts, and potential
issues with this strategy.