Boko Haram: With the election of former military dictator, Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as the new president the Nigerians are hoping that he will be their answer to suppressing the multi border civil war driven by Boko Haram. Buhari is from the Muslim North part of Nigeria which Boko Haram is essentially fighting for. He has vowed to do everything it takes to crush Boko Haram. Additionally, troops from Chad have been the major driving force so far in expelling the group from northeast Nigeria in only a matter of weeks. Nigeria’s army is also sending an additional 1,000 troops to secure the northeast border. This is the largest military campaign against the Islamic group with air strikes daily and large scale arrests.

Al-Qaeda: The US military has been fighting Al-Qaeda for years and continues to put resources and troops into that effort. The subSaharan region of Africa has also deployed many troops to destroy Al-Qaeda who hold a strong presence in their region, as well.

Kronin states that although the state’s perspective on use of military force is normal to assure their citizens and the rest of the world that they are in control, this tactic also challenges the state. This can create doubt about the state’s ability to protect their citizens and internationally the state of sovereignty is also an issue. The state only has two choices: to change their policies or destroy the insurgents and their ideologies. Additionally, this use of military force is advantageous because the state is responds to domestic pressure and the need to “do something”. This usually results in improved morale and a wave of positive public opinion in backing the government and the military. Internationally, they gain a sort of prestige in being able to handle the situation. Kronin points out that this is an effective form of eliminating a terrorist group if the population is incredibly mobilized behind the cause and how despised the regime makes itself in response.