On a night meant for peace, President Donald Trump unleashed fury with U.S. military airstrikes against ISIS militants in Northwest Nigeria, sending a clear message that terror won’t be tolerated.

These strikes, targeting the Islamic State’s Sahel Province branch on Christmas night, Thursday, December 25, 2025, were a direct response to brutal attacks on Christians and a broader effort to curb terrorism in the volatile Sahel region.

Targeting Terror in Northwest Nigeria

The violence in Nigeria has been heartbreaking, with at least 51 Christians killed in Plateau state earlier this year in April. More recently, over 300 people were kidnapped by gunmen from a Catholic school in the Papiri community on November 21. This isn’t abstract—it’s real suffering that demands a response.

Trump’s decision to strike ISIS targets was hailed by The Washington Post editorial board as a “righteous” move. Well, isn’t that a rare sight—mainstream media cheering a conservative leader? Let’s hope they’re as quick to praise when results roll in, not just rhetoric.

The Sahel region, stretching from Mauritania to Chad, isn’t some far-off problem—it’s labeled the world’s biggest hub for global terrorism, accounting for half of all terrorism-related deaths. Ignoring it isn’t an option, no matter how much some wish to focus solely on domestic issues. We can’t let progressive isolationism blind us to real threats.

Sahel’s Growing Threat to Global Security

Terror groups, once pushed out of Iraq and Syria after years of conflict, have taken root in West Africa, finding what the Post calls “fertile soil.” That’s a polite way of saying chaos breeds monsters. We can’t afford to let this garden of terror grow unchecked.

The Islamic State’s Sahel Province branch isn’t just fighting locals—they’re clashing with JNIM, an al-Qaeda affiliate, over territory. If JNIM seizes Mali by choking off fuel to Bamako, it could mark the first anti-Western terrorist state takeover since the Taliban’s grip on Afghanistan. That’s a domino we can’t let fall.

Nigeria, despite being relatively prosperous in the region, is struggling with insecurity on multiple fronts, and its central government has failed to restore order. Abuja’s willingness to partner with Washington is a silver lining. Let’s not squander this chance for real cooperation.

U.S. Policy Under Scrutiny in Africa

Past U.S. efforts, like the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership, have been slammed as “underfunded, leaderless and mostly ineffective” by a recent audit, per The Washington Post. That’s a damning report card for bureaucrats who’ve long ignored the region. It’s high time for a conservative push to demand efficiency, not excuses.

Now, whispers from the Pentagon about merging the African Command back into the European Command raise alarms about slashed resources and attention for Africa. As The Washington Post editorial board warns, “this could mean fewer resources and less attention for the region.” Ceding influence to rivals like China and Russia isn’t just foolish—it’s a strategic blunder.

Trump himself took to Truth Social to announce the strikes, declaring, “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria.” That’s vintage Trump—unapologetic and direct. But conservatives must ask: Is this a one-time hit or a sustained strategy?

Washington Post Urges Continued Engagement

The Post editorial board also urged, “Trump would be wise to remain engaged.” Fine advice, but let’s not pretend they’ve always backed strong American leadership abroad. Conservatives should hold both the administration and its critics to account for consistent policy, not fleeting applause.

The stakes couldn’t be higher—if terror festers in West Africa, it’s not just a local issue; it’s a global threat waiting to strike closer to home. We’ve seen this movie before with groups like ISIS. Ignoring the Sahel isn’t toughness—it’s shortsightedness that progressives often peddle as “restraint.”

From a populist perspective, American interests must come first, but that includes preventing the Sahel from becoming a launchpad for attacks on our allies or soil. Trump’s airstrikes are a start, but conservatives must demand a clear, cost-effective plan to tackle this mess without endless wars. Let’s support strength abroad—wisely, not blindly.