In Perspective: The dynamic Somalia situation; facts from the news this year

Somalia has become a hot topic yet again. The African nation located close to the Arab lands has been in strife for ages, coming out of civil war(s) and getting into new ones. Most of the areas of Somalia were and are ruled [largely] by warlords, supported — indirectly or otherwise — by the United States. There is also the recently more powerful element of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) — charged by the US as 'terrorists'. Nonetheless, the fighting between the long-powerful tribal warlords (clan militias) and the Islamist fighters has left many Somalians in ruins, and refugees have been pouring out for a long time. Most Somalians do not strongly support either side. Now, the UIC — which had taken the capital Mogadishu but strangely gave it back earlier today — is now facing off with Somali neighbour Ethiopia, or so it seems.

More events are springing up in the East African nation.

Government troops in Somalia have marched into parts of Mogadishu, hours after Islamist forces abandoned the capital they had held for six months.

Ethiopia is much stronger in all aspects when compared to Somalia. The interim Somali government set up by the international community a little while ago is a joke and makes the even Iraqi government look strong to a degree. Ethopia, which only recently acknowledged its military presence in its neighbour's territory, backs the Somali 'government'.
Delving into the situation, one also sees more "war on terror" fronts, as if there weren't enough already.

For the past sixteen years, Somalia has been widely acknowledged—and ignored—as a failed state. Now, as a regional war appears imminent, the world is finally paying attention to the Horn of Africa. Somalia is a “feral nation,” (LAT) writes former CIA Case Officer Garrett Jones; the “hot new front in the war on terrorism,” according to the Washington Post. Observers warn the battle between Somalia’s Islamic Courts and Ethiopian troops threatens to pull in neighboring countries and Muslim extremists. Ethiopia’s superior military, which enjoys the tacit support of Washington, has forced the Islamists to withdraw from their front line positions, but analysts are concerned about the ensuing power vacuum (CSMonitor). Some anticipate these radicals will reemerge and wage guerrilla war (LAT), not unlike what the United States faces in Iraq.

If anyone wants something to browse, check out this "100 things we didn't know last year" list from the BBC. Some highlights:

2. There are 200 million blogs which are no longer being updated, say technology analysts.
23. More than one in eight people in the United States show signs of addiction to the internet, says a study.
57. The word "time" is the most common noun in the English language, according to the latest Oxford dictionary.
68. The egg came first.
73. George Bush's personal highlight of his presidency is catching a 7.5lb (3.4kg) perch.
81. Iceland has the highest concentration of broadband users in the world.
86. Six million people use TV subtitles, despite having no hearing impairment.
100. In the 1960s, the CIA used to watch Mission Impossible to get ideas about spying.

Number 2 does not apply to this blog. Numbers 23 and 86 both apply to me. Number 73 explains a lot. Number 100 does not surprise me, given how the CIA operated back then (and — to a certain extent — now).

Sorry about the lack of posting lately; vacation and relaxation have made me a bit lazy. I have been reading a plethora of books and magazines, and have some fresh ideas to blog as this new year is upon us in three or so days.

UPDATE: For a nice overview of the situation in Somalia, see this episode of The Show with Ze Frank.