U.S. quietly positioning itself as a force in Africa

Using a blend of drones, Special Operations Forces and proxy soldiers, the U.S. has rapidly, but quietly escalated its foothold in Africa to fight what it claims to be a growing security threat. Critics question U.S. motives, citing oil and China as the true targets.

- Djibouti is home to Camp Lemonnier, a little known U.S. military base used to target al-Shabab in Somalia and al-Qaeda in Yemen.

- Remote U.S. base at core of secret operations.

- Djibouti population: 757,000, 94% Muslim.

- U.S. flying Reaper drone missions in Somalia from base in Ethiopia, supported Ethiopian troops in Somalia.

- Ethiopia population: 84 million, 62% Christian.

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