I'd start by taking over a country in Africa. I'd instill food, water, electricity and other basic necessities they aren't used to. Naturally, surronding countries would fall under my jurisdiction because of the desire for the quality of life my nation would offer. Now that my nation is sizeable we'd start our campaign, with my funds I'd supply my military with effective firearms and we'd bulldoze through the country bringing about the precedent of unified Africa. Now I have the second largest continent under me.
With our borders established we'd harness Africa's resources to ourselves, allowing me to support my growing independent Africa. We'd shut everyone out of country except for a few nations such as France, Britain and establish a diamond trade with some of the eastern countries. This move would infuriate the major nations that were left out such as the United States. Im sure they'd respond with a militant action after a couple terrorist attacks and embargo on their goods. Of course they'd look to NATO for help, which is why I allowed a good amount of those countries to still take Africa's resources. Some nations would agree halfhearted others would refuse to hurt their newfound money supply. And next the war of course.
Now that America is here in Africa alone, and militant action is imminent we'd set our major military installations next to thriving communities, so when the drone strikes or artillery comes it takes away the clean water and education the African's had just started to grow accustomed to. We'd reach out to the UN for humanitarian aid, slowly turning America into a global antagonist as they destroy good business in africa as well as basic human rights. Public opinion in America favors our nation, their allies no more support them. Either they will bend to our wim or let a revolution happen.Which ever option they choose they will be seen as weak and will collapse internally or by my new opportunistic allies. With America gone and enough powerful allies I'd be the start of a new empire.
