Comments on: U.S. Carries out Strikes Against Al Qaeda in Somalia

By: ES

ES — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 19:12:03 +0000

Captain’s Quarters says, “Between the three forces, including those loyal to the Somalian transitional government, AQ in Africa is about to take a huge blow, perhaps even a fatal defeat.”

So we won a battle, that does not mean we have won the campaign in this theater. We must follow up, but that does guarantee the AQ group will not be back as insurgents in months and years to come. We must follow up smartly.

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 18:58:29 +0000

Ian Welsh is way off base in my opinion. First off, its not the beginning of a long bloody guerilla campaign, its been going on for years. And considering that it looked like Al-Queda had Somolia firmly in its grip as little as two weeks ago, this was probably one of the few victories in the “War on Terror” that we can point to and say nicely done.

Second, unlike Iraq there is a local group that was able to step in and take over control of the country once the terrorists got the boot. Its certainly not going to be an easy ride, but its not like Iraq where there was literally nothing to fill the power vacuum.

And as far as stepping in with money and aid, lets not forget the existing conditions in Somolia. The guys who are now in charge as still bloodthirsty warlords, the lesser of two evils. It is extremely difficult to actually get aid to this country in any way where it can reach the people that need it. Money goes to line the pockets of the warlords, food gets stockpiled and used as leverage against the populace, et cetera. Whether its our guys or AQ in control, its still a country in chaos. They are going to have to take a few years to set the country in order before the west can get help to them in any meaningful way. If clobbering Al-Queda when they stick their necks out like this gets them closer to that then all the better. The final win is up to the people of Somolia, yesterdays airstrike was just a push in the right direction.

By: Michael Saunders

Michael Saunders — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 17:35:42 +0000

Is it just me or is there more going on in southern somalia. Jihadists from canada, australia, the Uk, the US, Pakistan, Yemen, Sudan, The Commorro Islands, even Saudis/ Are all these somali’s with foreign passports or real jihadists who beleive in the world Islamic Caliphate? Is Ras Kamboni the African Tora Bora? Who are these Alqueda people that are supposed to have been hidden by the movement in Ras Kamboni? Is Osama Bin Laden among them? It would be the least obvious place to hide. Why Is the Deputy leader of AlQueda calling for an urgent Holy War in Somalia? Why are all these predators, C130’s, Air Craft Carriers and Battle groups, Sattelites converging around Ras kamboni? It is all food for thought.

By: PatHMV

PatHMV — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 16:49:25 +0000

Ian’s point is just ridiculous. The idea that we should let demonstrably bad guys win control of a country so that we can then better negotiate and pressure them, is foolhardy at best, and capitulation at worst. It assumes, essentially, that if the bad guys are tough, mean, and vicious enough that they will always win by gaining control of a whole country, and we, in an abundance of realpolitik will acquiesce and treat them like sovereigns. The only solution is to steadfastly oppose evil, at every opportunity, not acquiesce in its minor victories.

By: CStanley

CStanley — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 16:18:39 +0000

I agree completely about the need for developed nations to invest in Africa, but a related and disturbing story (perhaps worthy of a separate post?) is how China is buying influence in Africa.
LINK

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau â€” China paid for the marble and tile parliament building soaring above the crumbling homes of this former Portuguese colony, and is also promising a dam and a military hospital â€” all with none of the political strings Western donors might attach.

Intent on cementing ties across Africa, China is active even in impoverished Guinea-Bissau, a small nation with little industry, no oil and few exports.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing ended a two-day visit here last week, part of a tour that includes Chad, Benin, Central African Republic, Eritrea and Mozambique. Li arrived from Equatorial Guinea, Africa’s third-largest oil producer, where he agreed to forgive about $75 million in debt.

Some nations on Li’s itinerary are sources of the raw materials China’s booming economy craves. Countries like Guinea-Bissau may not have much to offer today, but could in years to come. In courting them, China has turned on its head the Western aid formula that has tied public works projects to progress in good governance.

“China is not like the World Bank, they don’t attach all these conditions on the money,” said Edmundo Vaz, a former adviser to the Guinea-Bissau Finance Ministry who now runs a bank.

“The West makes us wait, but we’re a poor country â€” we don’t have time wait,” he said.

You have to wonder if China’s aid without “conditions” will undermine the West’s attempt to promote development along with human rights.