BY AL J. VENTER
With the spate of small wars gathering strength in Africa, many more American troops and airmen are being posted to the "Dark Continent" to counter the efforts of al-Qaeda jihadis intent on fomenting violence and revolution. As others follow in their wake, they should know that Africa can be harsh on those who do not know how to cope with survival issues or understand many of the problems they are likely to encounter on a continent that is in a constant state of flux.
That said, safety in Africa is much less of a concern than it has been in years gone by, largely because standards for international travelers are markedly improved. Also, problems, as well as threats and dangers that we should be aware of, are changing … but they still exist.