MPERATIVES OF SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN ISRAEL'S ASSISTANCE TO SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
This paper examines linkages between security and development imperatives in the State of Israel's policies towards Sub-Saharan Africa. It studies the history and current state of the Israeli foreign assistance program which has long been focused on Africa. The government of Israel provided aid to African states (predominantly through MASHAV - Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation) out of political, geostrategic, economic, and humanitarian considerations. In the twenty first century Israel has become increasingly concerned about the expansion of the Iranian influence across the continent. Today Israel simultaneously provides substantial amount of military and security assistance to the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa supporting their counterterrorism efforts and implements numerous development projects in the region. The paper unveils the substance of the current Israel's approach towards pivotal African states with the example of her relations with Nigeria.