Nigeria-US military ties.
Relations between the United States and Nigeria were strained under former President Goodluck Jonathan's government. President Muhammadu Buhari's trip to Washington in July rejuvenated the relationship, but has not amounted to substantial new military support. The congressionally imposed 1997 Leahy amendment restrictions on Nigerian military units involved in counterinsurgency still apply. A substantial amount of political will would be required to lift them for a Nigeria that is now less important to US energy needs.
Boko Haram's shift back to sporadic bombings suggests continued adaptability to losing territory.
However, claims over new leadership raise questions over the group's cohesion on the back of military incursions.
Recent unsophisticated attacks using horses over vehicles may also suggest that the group is suffering from resource constraints.
