Book excerpt: The authors examine the African Crisis Response Initiative (ACRI). While traditionally, the U.S. military has not been heavily involved in Sub-Saharan Africa, this has begun to change since the end of the Cold War. U.S. forces have supported several humanitarian relief and evacuation operations associated with African conflicts, conducted numerous 'engagement' activities aimed at assisting African states and their militaries during the transition to democracy, and helped Africans develop a capability to avoid or solve their region's security problems. They conclude with recommendations where U.S. national security interests can be promoted with limited resources.