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Africa Horn
U.S. policy in the Horn of Africa may aid al-Qaida, experts warn
2006-12-23
Some fresh red meat for the spit. I get the distinct impression that the "Experts" are the usual variety of State Dept types... I leave it to the experts to sift the wheat from the experts, lol.
Is there anything that can be done by anyone that won't aid and/or abet the bad guyz?
By Jonathan S. Landay and Shashank Bengali
NAIROBI, Kenya — As fighting intensified Friday between Somali Islamists and an Ethiopian intervention force, Western diplomats and experts warned that U.S. policy in the Horn of Africa - intended to curb Islamic radicalism - may not only be fueling this newest conflict, but also may be making it easier for al-Qaida to gain a foothold in the strategic region.

Fighting raged for a fourth day around Baidoa, the last bastion of Somalia's U.N.-recognized Transitional Federal Government, which is depending on Ethiopian troops for its survival. Both Islamists and the government claimed advances after what was described as a heavy artillery exchange.

The top Islamist official renewed his call for "jihad" against what he said was Ethiopian invaders, and there were reports of an armored column of Ethiopian tanks heading into central Somalia.

The Ethiopian government, which had denied having troops in Somalia, said Friday that it had been patient with a situation that had gone "from bad to worse" and said "there is a limit." Ethiopia has said it will not tolerate an Islamist regime in neighboring Somalia.

Officials close to the Somali parliament confirmed Friday that more Ethiopian reinforcements had arrived since Thursday, setting the stage for possible full-scale war.

The Bush administration has publicly denounced the Islamists who control most of southern Somalia as al-Qaida puppets, reinforcing a widespread belief that the United States tacitly supports Christian-ruled Ethiopia's intervention into the overwhelmingly Muslim country.

The outbreak of fighting has focused new attention on U.S. policy in the region, which Western diplomats and regional experts say has been riddled with inconsistencies and missteps. The experts say U.S. handling of Somalia and Ethiopia is a tale of flawed intelligence, inadequate U.S. government attention and overheated rhetoric, with a measure of domestic U.S. politics thrown in.
Posted by:.com

#11  I've always advocated less "measure for measure" violence and advocated "crush them". It's obviously a matter of application, but I'd like to see more Conan, less Colin
Posted by: Frank G   2006-12-23 20:15  

#10  Ethiopia has said it will not tolerate an Islamist regime in neighboring Somalia.

Looks like Ethiopia actually wants to survive.

"It seems to be that there is such a knee-jerk (American) reaction to the idea of anything that is Islamic," said Abdi Samatar, a professor at the University of Minnesota. "We are losing the hearts and minds of anyone who matters."

At some point in the near future, our leaders need to understand that a "hearts & minds" approach only works with rational people. For those who are unscarred by the ravages of intelligence or logic it is not hearts and minds but "short & curlies" that has any meaning.

It's not even a matter of gaining our enemy's respect. Measure for measure violence is an issue of parity. Anything less guarantees victory for our foes. The West still has some serious WW-II lessons to relearn about reciprocity and reprisal.
Posted by: Zenster   2006-12-23 19:39  

#9  I was referring to the 'experts' and the State Department.
Posted by: Pappy   2006-12-23 18:07  

#8  Slight correction Pappy.
You do what the guys with the gun in your backs tell you to do.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2006-12-23 11:37  

#7  Link fixed. Sorry.
Posted by: .com   2006-12-23 11:25  

#6  You does what the guys funding your retirement tell you to do.
Posted by: Pappy   2006-12-23 11:20  

#5  They have a problem with supporting the secular warlords of the internationally recognized government (such as it is) against the Islamist warlords trying to overthrow it? I think the only alternative there is to support the Islamist 'insurgents' - they'd prefer that? Where do they find experts like this - Mecca?
Posted by: Glenmore   2006-12-23 08:32  

#4  no linky?
Posted by: Frank G   2006-12-23 06:38  

#3  "... are moderates ... it's premature to conclude that the Islamists will impose a repressive Taliban-style Islamic regime aligned with bin Laden, they said."

Let'see... they want moderately behead people for not praying 5 times a day; they forbid TV and movies and if caught, the viewers can be moderately executed on the spot... and who needs music, that unseemly frivolity.... moderately off with musicians' heads!

Yea, a typical moderate mooselimb rule.

I have to conclude that whatever expert(s) came up with the warning are few marbles short of full set.

Sometimes I just want to scream.
Posted by: twobyfour   2006-12-23 03:23  

#2  Article: And U.S. intelligence officials said that al-Qaida operatives are running some training camps in Somalia. "But there is no reporting to indicate that al-Qaida is calling the shots in Somalia, or that the Islamic Courts and al-Qaida are working together on operations outside of Somalia," said a senior U.S. intelligence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the intelligence is classified.

The Islamists and al-Qaida elements have a common interest in creating an Islamist state that would provide haven to Islamic extremists, "but it's hard to make more of it than that," the official said.

Western diplomats and experts said that many Courts leaders, like most Somalis, are moderates and fiercely nationalist. For that reason and because of the complex tangle of clan allegiances within the courts, it's premature to conclude that the Islamists will impose a repressive Taliban-style Islamic regime aligned with bin Laden, they said.

That's what they said about the Taliban as well. Until 9/11. No more 9/11's. This means no more Talibans. And thus, perhaps, the provision of as much aid money as it takes to exterminate the proto-Taliban Islamic Courts.
Posted by: Zhang Fei   2006-12-23 02:20  

#1  The outbreak of fighting has focused new attention on U.S. policy in the region, which Western diplomats and regional experts say has been riddled with inconsistencies and missteps.

Webster's definition of the US State Department must contain a similar phrase.
Posted by: Besoeker   2006-12-23 02:19  

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