US poking it's nose into Somalia

[noxlumos]

So what do we all think about this?

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/05062006/325/u-s-funding-somali-warlords-intelligence-experts.html

Allegedly the US are offering "funding" to Somali Warlords ( by-passing the Somali Govt) to ensure that no nasty people who don't agree with them ever get power.So is this sensible, albeit illegal, intervention to prevent potential terrorism or another example of Team America World Police? Can Somalia ever hope to start to emerge from it's bloody situation if it's own Govt is disregarded by super powers or should the US be doing this and is it ok by you? Does this tell us anything about the future treatment of any Govt in Iraq as well?

[maxximus]

this is standard operating procedure. warlords do not answer to the rule of law, their actions don't have to be debated, voted on, legislated, will of the people, etc. on the other hand governments hands are tied by such matters. warlords being (oganized criminals) usually own the right people and control the underbelly, if you like of the given country. weapons, drugs,commodities. with the offer of cash, weapons and what ever else they might need from covert operatives it makes for an excellent partnership for expediting matters (in the case of somalia) in forwarding the interests of the u.s. geostrategic agenda. and like in the past when their agenda changes they declare said parties as dictators, criminals, murderers or some other ilk even though they knew this going in and promptly remove them the same way.although the u.s. is rarely alone in these matters as there is always a variety of other nations hanging onto their coat tails, depending where in the world innocents are dieing, to forward the powers that be's agenda. enough pontificating! here is some good information on somalia if your interested. http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=CHI20060527&articleId=2524

[Haggisdj]

Seems like a great idea to me... pity they can't give them even more money.

[PowderKeg]

The "government" of Somalia is just a few self-appointed politicians supported by some of the many warlords. It has little power or influence.

The new players in the country are the "Islamic Courts". Whether these will turn out to be just another set of warlords or an Afghan style taliban group remains to be seen. Naturally the US wishes to prevent the latter scenario so is taking pre-emptive action. Personally I doubt the US intervention is going to work as the difference between an Islamist group and a warlord is that Islamists just don't give up. A warlord may fight for money but he doesn't want to die for money, whereas a religious extremist will fight for a belief and doesn't mind dying for it.

That said, the only path to a stable Somalia will have to be an authoritarian Islamic Republic. Not ideal from a Western standpoint, but then Somalians are not Western so we really should be too worked up about it.

[jake-the-peg]

Here we go again:

Contras in Nicaragua

Mujahideen in Afghanistan

Noriega in Panama

Pinochet in Chile

UNITA in Angola

Thank goodness they aren't "State sponsors of terrorism" like those nasty Iranians!

[qapmoc]

One thing is for sure, that while the US might send money or/and aid to Somalia, there is no way that they will ever again actually physically get involved there after the thrashing they had last time.

[the.dr]

dito

they need an a$$ kicking damn yanks! they have problems in their own country! sort them then look at the rest of the world!