Why Nigeria Approved US Strikes on ISIS Despite Rejecting Claims of Christian Genocide

Smoke rises over a remote area in northwestern Nigeria following a US military airstrike targeting suspected Islamic State-linked militants, carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities during the Christmas period. (PC: REUTERS)

Nigeria’s decision to publicly cooperate with the United States on Christmas Day airstrikes against Islamic State-linked militants marks a delicate balancing act between counterterrorism cooperation and domestic political sensitivities. While President Donald Trump framed the operation as a response to attacks on Christians, Nigerian officials moved quickly to clarify that the strikes were aimed at […]