Why US troop cuts in Africa would cause alarm

Even as destroyed US military aircraft smoldered from an al-Shabab attack that killed three Americans this month in Kenya, the al-Qaida-linked group issued a taunting message to African troops: The US will abandon you just as it did the Kurds.

Islamic extremists are already exploiting possible US military cuts in Africa that have caused a rare bipartisan outcry in Washington, with lawmakers stressing the need to counter China and Russia and contain a growing threat from Islamic State group affiliates.

Here's a look at the issue that has caused alarm among some US security allies, while the US probes the deadliest attack against its military in Africa since 2017.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?
I hope I can convince President Trump that the fight against terrorism, in which he is deeply engaged, is also at stake in this region."
WHY ARE U.S. LAWMAKERS SPEAKING OUT?
WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT AMERICANS KILLED IN KENYA?