In Africa, Blinken sees limits of US influence abroad

By MATTHEW LEE
AP Diplomatic Writer

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken saw first-hand the limits of America’s influence abroad as he traveled across Africa. Blinken confronted authoritarianism, growing threats from newly energized extremists and persistent challenges posed by COVID-19 and climate change. And, nowhere on his three-nation tour last week — to Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal — was he able to escape obvious signs of the intense competition between the U.S. and China. It’s a geopolitical power struggle that has been playing out largely in China’s favor for the past two decades, especially in Africa. Before leaving Africa, Blinken said he was well received by all three leaders he met.