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The Somalia Syndrome Pragmatic Humanitarianism in the World's

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The Somalia Syndrome Pragmatic Humanitarianism in the World's The Somalia Syndrome Pragmatic Humanitarianism in the World’s Most Dangerous Place David (Trace) Held III Global Scholars Program Park Tudor School Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America 22 April, 2020 Held 1 Dedicated to the 45 American soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Somalia since 1992. You fought in a foreign land, for a foreign people; not for personal gain or glory, but because it was the right thing to do. May this paper serve to finish what you started. Held 2 Acknowledgments “In my walks, every man I meet is my superior in some way, and in that I learn from him.” --Ralph Waldo Emerson1 Nowhere is this quote more pertinent than in a project predicated upon fixing a foreign nation. Throughout it, I suffered from a classic case of ‘if you’re not confused, you don’t understand what’s going on.’ To everyone who aided me, not just in my paper, but in any facet of my life, you contributed by forming me into the man I am; for that, I am eternally grateful. First and foremost I would like to thank my panelists: Prof. Sarah Bauerle-Danzman, David Bender, Dr. Todd Burkhardt, Mr. Kizito Kalima, and Dr. Matthew Macgrath. The pandemic upon us has certainly disrupted daily life in unprecedented ways, so for several esteemed experts to take time out of your lives to develop and critique my report is a humbling honor. I know your professional insight will propel my report to new heights. Particular thanks to Dr. Burkhardt whose doctoral thesis, Just War and Human Rights: Fighting with Right Intention, ​ ​ ​ ​ formed the foundation for two of my chapters. To my Park Tudor School teachers, you are more than educators of fact, but mentors of life. Through your classes and after lingerings in your offices, I discovered the surface of the infinite knowledge in our world as well as the virtues of determination, perseverance, ingenuity, and above all, compassion. You taught me to achieve excellence in pursuit of a higher purpose, not simply for personal recognition. Particular mention to Mrs. Krouse, my intrepid advisor and first instructor on the global world; Mr. Smith, my fantastic Model United Nations mentor and international relations teacher for whom I hope this paper will especially interest; and, finally to 1 Emerson, “Every Man Is My Superior.” ​ Held 3 Dr. Dubie, whose after school discussions over a year and a half ago first set me on the path of Somalia. To my friends, it is through you I owe much of my character. The past four years’ experiences, both the wonderful and the stressful, have shaped me into a more resilient and happy individual. Though our time was tragically cut short by COVID-19, if any lesson can be drawn from this pandemic, and this report, it is life could be much worse. I will always cherish our memories and be thankful that you all provided a welcoming and intellectually challenging community to mature in. To Ms. Sidey, it proves impossible to understate your commitment to this program and to us Global Scholars. Your dedication to providing constant feedback, sophisticated inquiry, and boundless improvement to my writing is the primary reason this report was ever completed. The motivation and encouragement you imbued allowed me to accomplish writing this report. In future years I unquestionably believe you will continue to guide students in producing exceptional works for society. To my grandfather, your devotion to me as a grandson as well as to this paper remains unparalleled. Without your steadfast enthusiasm during editing and the tedious footnoting process, this paper would have been finished much later and certainly not on the same caliber. You are wholly invaluable in the truest sense of the word. Finally, and most importantly, to my family. How could I ever describe or repay the gift of life you have given me? You have given me everything and more. I understand the writing of this report, between the long hours locked away in my room to the ranting about the troubles prevalent throughout a distant land, has certainly not lived up to your expectations of my final Held 4 months at home. Nonetheless, you provided me with all the love and support a son could ever ask for. I know that if I continue to care and strive to promote understanding and justice ​ throughout the world, I’ll make you all proud and show everyone that Helds can change the ​ world too. For that, and indescribably more, I thank you all. Held 5 Abstract If there was ever a place so devoid of peace in the post-Cold War era, it is Somalia. Universally notorious as the epitome of a failed nation-state, its economic and political institutions persist in a vicious cycle which has perpetuated human rights atrocities for the past half century. Since the infamous Blackhawk Down Incident, paired with mediocre nation-building results in Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond, critics of humanitarian operations fiercely contend that only further quagmires will result from additional intervention. Yet, these arguments omit or misinterpret key aspects regarding efforts in Somalia. This report, “The Somalia Syndrome,” proposes that the Western world possesses national security interests as well as a moral imperative to expand nation-building operations in the country, and offers recommendations for how to conduct such a perplexing undertaking. It asserts this over four parts. First, The Syndromes presents an in-depth analysis of Somali history ​ ​ to introduce this lawless land and identifies the vast array of issues facing national development. Next, The Cause examines the origins of state prosperity or poverty and illustrates the true ​ ​ reasons Somalia remains desolate. Third, The Necessity considers liberal and realist arguments ​ ​ on international intervention and constructs a proper procedure and criteria for action. Lastly, The Remedies evaluates three predominant facets of the current situation, and then offers ​ innovative recommendations which promote Western and Somali prosperity. By pursuing this four-fold path, humanity may one day transform “the most dangerous place in the world”2 into a robust democracy brimming with economic prosperity, and halt the eternal violence once and for all. 2 Gettleman, “The Most Dangerous Place.” Held 6 Contents Acknowledgments: . 2 Abstract: . 5 Contents: . .6 Maps: . .7 Introduction: “The Somalia Syndrome”. 10 Part I: “The Syndromes” . 12 Chapter 1: “Land of the Gods and Clans”. 13 Chapter 2: “The Colony that Rejected Freedom” . 22 Chapter 3: “A Hollywood Movie”. .32 Chapter 4: “Business End of a Machine Gun” . .42 Part II: “The Cause” . .55 Chapter 5: “The Origins of Prosperity and Poverty” . 57 Chapter 6: “History Rhymes” . .65 Chapter 7: “Breaking the Mold”. 69 Part III: “The Necessity” . 73 Chapter 8: “The Great Regret” . 74 Chapter 9: “Philosophy to Policy” . 85 Chapter 10: “The Definition of Victory” . 93 . Part IV: “The Remedies” . 99 Chapter 11: “A Long Road Ahead” . 102 Chapter 12:“The Emporium of East Africa” . 115 Chapter 13: “Shall Not Perish” . 127 Conclusion: . .. 141 Bibliography . .. 143 Outcomes . .155 Held 7 Maps Political Control Map of Somalia3 3 Centanni, “Somalia Control Map August 2019.” ​ Held 8 Somali Ethnic/Clan Map4 4 “Somalia Ethnic Groups.” ​ Held 9 Somalia’s Size Compared to the Eastern United States5 5 “Map of Somalia Overlaid on a Map of the Eastern United States,” ​ Held 10 Introduction: The Somalia Syndrome ​ Me and Somalia against the world Me and my clan against Somalia Me and my family against the clan Me and my brother against my family Me against my brother. ~Somali Proverb6 For the past half-century, Somalia persisted as the pinnacle of barbarity and anarchy in the world, possessing a magnitude of chaos only matched by its degree of savagery. “The hearts of Somalians are heavy with grief. For too long, Somalis have used violence to achieve their goals or to resolve their differences. Too many lives have been lost. Too many dreams have been destroyed” wrote the President of Somalia. “The time has come for Somalia to put an end to violence.”7 Throughout this time, organizations from the UN to the United States, from the African Union to the EU, and from Somali goat-herders to national leaders have striven to transform Somalia from rubble to a resolute prospering democracy. Yet, conventional measures to initiate national reconstruction remain thwarted by pervasive extractive political and economic institutions, reinforced by intense clan militantism. Therefore, an innovative strategy is crucial to engendering an everlasting peace sorely required amidst a land wracked by oppressive regimes, man-made famines, foreign intervention, and clan-centric terrorism.8 Such a strategy must not repeat the faults of the past which induced the terrifying images of battered American bodies paraded through the streets of Mogadishu following Blackhawk 6 Chun, Gothic Serpent, 4. ​ ​ ​ 7 Keating, War and Peace in Somalia, ix. ​ ​ ​ 8 Abdullahi, Culture and Customs, 1. ​ ​ Held 11 Down. Instead, such a strategy must transcend the issues of the present which bog down current missions and endeavor to eradicate the underlying elements generating adborrent violence. To permanently resolve Somalia's syndromes, one must heal the severely festering institutional epidemic. In this report, “The Somalia Syndrome,” the turbulent history of “the most dangerous place in the world” will be presented, followed by comprehensive theorising on the origins of state failure, as well as philosophical and pragmatic assessments of humanitarian intervention and nation-building.9 Only then can one accurately articulate remedies to resurrect Somalia from “the modern world’s closest approximation of Hobbes’s state of nature.” Life now might indeed be “nasty, brutish, and short,” but the streets of Mogadishu need not ring with explosions as frequently as the azan (the Islamic call to prayer).10 Through extensive research and thoughtful deliberation, we can “address grievances and ​ work to ensure respect for the human rights for all Somalis,” thereby charting a “path to a more peaceful and prosperous future.”11 9 Gettleman, “The Most Dangerous Place.” ​ 10 Gettleman.
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