Former Republican Mayor of Blanco, Texas, Mike Arnold, has described the recent United States military strikes in Sokoto State as a significant signal and a geopolitical opening move. He asserts the action is aimed squarely at the alarming rise of global jihadist influence in West Africa.
A Christmas Day Strike and a Geopolitical Message
As reported by The Guardian, the United States executed airstrikes against ISIS targets in Sokoto on Christmas Day, 25 December 2025. President Donald Trump notably characterized the operation as a "Christmas Day gift to terrorists." The move, authorized by the Nigerian government, has sparked intense debate, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where many question why the action began in the Northwest's Sokoto instead of the Northeast, the known epicenter of terror group violence.
In a detailed blog post, Arnold argued that the selection of Sokoto for this historic first U.S. strike on Nigerian soil was far from random. "It was a signal. A geopolitical opening shot aimed at something bigger: the rise of global jihad in West Africa," he stated. He referenced testimony from U.S. AFRICOM Commander General Michael Langley to Congress earlier in the year, which identified northern Nigeria as the new global epicenter of terrorism. "That’s not theory. That’s official U.S. military doctrine," Arnold emphasized.
Unmasking Elite Complicity and a Symbolic Domino
Arnold suggested the Sokoto strike might represent the first domino to fall in a broader strategy. He framed it as a symbolic entry point to "plant the flag and begin the unmasking" of a deeper suspicion in Washington: that Nigeria's terror problem is not merely insurgent-led but potentially supported by elements within its own elite class.
The former mayor made a particularly striking claim, noting there have been calls to investigate the Sokoto Sultanate as a foreign terrorist entity. He added, "It wouldn’t surprise me if that process is already quietly underway." Regarding Nigerian government coordination, Arnold was skeptical, viewing official claims of partnership as more of a diplomatic necessity than an operational reality. "Nigeria has every reason to save face. The U.S. has every reason to keep options open," he remarked.
Why This is Bigger Than Sokoto
Arnold hinted that the Sokoto incident is merely a precursor to larger developments. He pointed to the scale of U.S. military movement and an unusual alignment of global commentary as indicators of a deeper shift. "You don’t see this kind of military movement from the U.S. for a symbolic pinprick. And you definitely don’t get global influencers like Nicki Minaj, Bill Maher, and Netanyahu all on the same message — unless something deeper is happening," he argued. "The gears of the world don’t turn like this without purpose."
Meanwhile, the strikes have found support among many Nigerians who prioritize security over abstract sovereignty concerns. A prevailing sentiment among supporters is that national sovereignty holds little value when terrorist groups operate with impunity across the country.
