Failed States

Somalia is unquestionably a failed state. In fact, it has failed catastrophically. With no real, functioning government, it is lawless and anarchic at best. Al-Qaeda and/or other Islamists use it as a base to the extent they can, pirates and bandits run rampant there, and violence is widespread.

It failed in 1991, and after that time, was a humanitarian disaster. While at least 5 different militia-backed factions fought for control, several hundred thousand people died. Most of the relief food that was sent was stolen and sold. Finally, the US, Pakistan, Malaysia, and others attempted to subdue one of the most aggressive and confrontational of the factions, the SNA, led by Mohammed Aidid. The Blackhawk Down incident, and the ensuing "Battle of Mogadishu" constitute the pivotal chapter in this attempt, after which the attempt was abandoned.

After being attacked by these militias, which Bin Laden has claimed he trained and supported (although these claims are difficult to verify), the US withdrew from Somalia. Since that time, Somalia has remained contested and lawless. In 2006, the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) attempted to control and suppress all the people of Somalia, but was opposed by Ethiopia and Eritrea, with some American support. It has really not gotten much better since that time.

Failed states are dangerous. While casualties are difficult to swallow, and the US clearly made several military and political miscalculations in 1993, they should have remained in Mogadishu to straighted things out. Instead, after perhaps alienating more civilians by fighting in the streets of Mogadishu, the US withdrew, leaving the people, already bitter at the United States, to suffer even more.

Even today, the ICU attempts to control the country to impose such Draconian policies as the outlawing of public sports viewing or movie watching. Somalia remains a haven for Al-Qaeda and related groups. As in Sudan, the United States should intervene directly to support improved stability, personal liberties, women's rights, and democratic institutions in Somalia, as well as to aggressively disrupt and destroy the terrorist networks operating from Somalia.