Americans carry an image branded into their deep national psyche of burned bodies hanging from a bridge. The violent banality of failed policy in Somalia and the fodder for future Hollywood hand-wringing (Black Hawk Down).
However the story of how Somalia got to be what it is today is a long one, laden with particulars of the region, and a gross insoucience on the part of western democracies to involving Africa in economic plans for the world. What resulted is a tragedy that everyone has a hand in.
Therein lies the opportunity. It is clear that Somalia isn’t going to restructure itself and reclaim national cohesion on its own. Nor is it a good thing for the world to stand buy and watch as it devolves into warlord-driven chaos. It becomes a launching ground for piracy and international terrorist networks.
This is really a point at which a UN-organized fighting and occupational force needs to step in and restructure. Provide incentives to de-arm. Begin the process of rebuilding. Provide for educational paths that the Somalis can own their infrastructure and build a governing foundation.
It will take a decade to begin the work, but think of how much could have been done with the money spent on destroying Iraq.