In a sign that the U.S. military is readjusting to fight what it calls "the long war" against terrorism, the Pentagon is expected to announce shortly the creation of a military command focusing on the world's most neglected region: Africa. The move would signal a shift from a cold war--era posture toward one emphasizing proactive, preventive measures.
The Pentagon has nine combatant commands, with responsibility for Africa awkwardly divided among three: the European Command, Pacific Command and Central Command (Centcom); the last is responsible for Iraq and Afghanistan. An African Command would eliminate that cumbersome structure. But critics say it could...