Premium Essay

Irregular Warfare Strategy for Somalia

In:

Submitted By veandafaith
Words 681
Pages 3
Introduction
The use of Irregular Warfare has been ongoing for years around the world. Irregular warfare is described as a violent struggle among state and non-state actors for legitimacy and influence over the relevant populations. I will discuss where the U.S. may apply military force in conjunction with other means of national power to stabilize the nation of Somalia. I will also discuss why it would be considered as an Irregular Warfare environment.
Body
Somalia gained its independence from British control in 1960, where the British relinquished control and gave Somalia to the United Nations. Somalia was governed by civilians until 1969; after which the military rebellion by General Muhammed Siad Barre took place. General Muhammed Siad Barre was a military tyranny that was in command of Somalia and it’s military. His tyranny lasted over 2 decades. During the 1970s the United States government communicated with General Barre and donated over 100 million dollars to help stabilize the Somali economy. The United States knew it was within there best interest to keep General Barre in power of Somalia for a while. The United States also knew that by the late 1980s the Somali economy would be unable to sustain itself and foreign aid would be withdrawn. After the collapse of Somalia’s economy, the United States revolted against General Barre’s oppressive regime. Different warlords of Somalia fought together against General Barre, ending his power and forcing him to flee the country. The United States maintained the tyranny by supporting General Barre and his dictatorship because they had an agenda. They then used their power of the situation to overthrow General Barre in the end.
In 1991 The United Somali Congress (USC) was formed and a temporary president was appointed to govern the nation. With dissention within the USC they were later over thrown by the Islamic

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Irregular Warfare

...An Irregular Warfare Strategy for Somalia Staff Sergeant Ondrae L. Meyers Enlisted Professional Military Education- Career Course 9 June 2014 In Somalia there is a constant battle that the country faces with a terroristic organization called Al Shabaab. Within these battles they do not use conventional warfare. The Al Shabaab do not have the support of the people and rule by commanding obedience through fear. In a conventional war military forces attempt to achieve strategic objectives against a recognized state. Irregular Warfare is when adversaries seek to isolate themselves from their external supporters and undermine their opponent’s legitimacy and credibility. Irregular Warfare is defined by the Department of Defense Directive 3000.07, (December 2008), as “A violent struggle among state and non-state actors for legitimacy and influence over the relevant population(s). Irregular warfare favors indirect and asymmetric approaches, though it may employ the full range of military and other capacities, in order to erode an adversary’s power, influence, and will.” There are specific applications of “keys to success”, in order to carry out the Irregular Warfare campaign. The two applications are unity of success and understanding the operational environment. Irregular Warfare is defined by Thomas Edward Lawrence, better known as ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, as “Granted mobility, security (in the form of denying targets to the enemy), time, and doctrine (the idea to convert every...

Words: 893 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Discussion About History

..."Hybrid Warfare" and "An Irregular Warfare Strategy for Somalia" outlined below. Write a three- to four-page essay based on one of the following writing topics. The essay should includethe basic elements of a paper (introduction, body, and conclusion) and use proper sentence structure,punctuation, and grammar. -Use the Somalia conflict area where the U.S. may apply military force in conjunction with other means of national power to stabilize the nation or region and describe why it would be consideredas an Irregular Warfare environment. -Identify at least two Irregular Warfare activities and describe their application to the situation. -Identify the logical lines of operation associated with your topic and describe their effect in the overarching Irregular Warfare campaign. -Identify and describe your method for Interagency Cooperation with at least two other U.S. agencies, nongovernmental organizations, or international organizations who may participate in this campaign. -Describe specific application of keys to success to carry out this Irregular Warfare campaign. Formatting requirements: Title page Typed, double space with separate title page as outlined Minimum length: three typed pages (four pages maximum) Margins: one inch on all four sides Font: Courier New, point size 11 Page numbers, centered in the footer. (Note: Student essays should begin with page number 1 on the first page of the actual essay, not the title page. Page numbers within the Somalia essay ...

Words: 304 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Somalia

...Somalia is a country with a history of violence, unrest, and strategic implications regarding counterterrorism for the United States (U.S.). Of particular interest is the Al Shabaab organization, an Islamic extremist group attempting to overthrow the United Nations (UN) sanctioned Transitional Federal Government (TFG). According to the National Counter-Terrorism Center, the group has exerted temporary and, at times, sustained control over strategic locations in southern and central Somalia by recruiting, at times forcibly, regional sub-clans and their militias, using guerrilla asymmetrical warfare and terrorist tactics against the TFG of Somalia and its allies, African Union (AU) peacekeepers, and Nongovernmental aid Organizations (NGO). Traditional warfare should not be considered an option as the threat faced does not constitute a conventional war where military forces are attempting to achieve strategic objectives against a recognized state. Commensurate to the threat, an Islamic extremist organization, irregular warfare strategies and capabilities are ideal in neutralizing these threats. The U.S., in support of the AU, is uniquely positioned to provide support through irregular warfare capabilities implemented by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). Although the Al Shabaab organization could be categorized as aninsurgency, it may not necessarily be feasible to approach the threatwith a counterinsurgency strategy. The organization does not appearto have the support of the...

Words: 1052 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Exam

...President’s goal to “disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in Afghanistan...and to prevent its capacity to threaten America and our allies in the future” (Obama 5). The rapid deployment of troops is needed that we can “target insurgency and secure key population centers...increase our ability to train competent Afghan security forces, and to partner with them so that more Afghans can get into the fight...and help create the conditions for the United States to transfer responsibility to the Afghans” (Obama 5). Because what is at stake is “the security of our allies, and the common security of the world” (Obama 5). 2. Why and how does the 2008 National Defense Strategy counterbalance the armed forces’ past tendency to focus on conventional threats and conflicts? Why: Due to US dominance in conventional warfare methods, our adversaries have been forced to adopt other means and methods in an attempt to defeat us (United States, DOD, 4). In addition, we can no longer afford to focus on just one adversary at a time (e.g., Soviet Union and the Cold War); we must be prepared to deter a range of potential adversaries, each with their own unique...

Words: 824 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Battle Of Algiers Summary

...change that allowed them to make up for their military incompetence. The confidence gained by the French after they wont the Battle of Algiers blinded them to consider the possibility that the FLN would fight back yet again. The French authorities won a significant battle but ultimately failed in their goal to sustain their political control over the region as Independence for Algeria was granted in 1962. The significant loss of army men, resources and territories during the battle in Algiers did not deter the will of the FLN to fight which proves how this strong strategy of defense used by the weak is key to securing victory. Record includes Ivan Arreguin-Toft’s theory of how a specific strategy used by both sides greatly affects the outcome. He...

Words: 1222 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Clausewitz in the 21st Century

...Strategy Research Project CLAUSEWITZ AND 21ST CENTURY WARFARE BY COLONEL CHRISTOPHER J. PAPAJ United States Marine Corps DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for Public Release. Distribution is Unlimited. USAWC CLASS OF 2008 This SRP is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Strategic Studies Degree. The views expressed in this student academic research paper are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA 17013-5050 Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control...

Words: 7711 - Pages: 31

Premium Essay

Contemplating Realities and Paradoxes in the Global War on Terror

...Contemplating Realities and Paradoxes in the Global War on Terror John B. Alexander, Ph.D. Introduction The approach of this monograph is to examine paradoxes encountered in the Global War on Terror (GWOT). The intent is to spark debate on disputatious issues. Clearly, many of the existing situations appear intractable given the emotional investment that has been made by the public, and exacerbated by political manipulation of elected officials. Also unavoidable are the fiscal constraints that are becoming increasingly binding. Examined in Section One are problematic premises related to the four fundamental approaches to countering terrorism; increased security, eliminating the terrorists, attacking the support infrastructure, and altering conditions that breed discontent. Despite trite, albeit politically popular, commentary proposing those methods, execution of those concepts is extremely difficult, often controversial, and sometimes counterproductive. Section Two of this monograph addresses several other policy decisions that generate problems that are difficult to resolve, but directly impact the forces involved. Among those topics are; roles of contractors, individual loyalties versus national interests, alliances of convenience, foreign response to our policy on preemption of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), the consequences of our stated objective of spreading democracy, the impact of U.S. presence in the Gulf region, and quandary associated with defining...

Words: 28095 - Pages: 113

Free Essay

Army Aviation in Low Intensity Conflict

...counter-insurgency began with the British in Malaya on 1 April 1950, with the formation of the Far East Casualty Air Evacuation Flight at Seletar with strength of three Westland S-51 Dragonfly helicopters. During the Malayan Emergency the British used their helicopters primarily for casualty evacuation and later for airlifting troops. Question that looms ahead for the future, no matter what the outcome in Jammu and Kashmir, and North Eastern States, is how the army aviation succeeds against fierce insurgency in strategy and capabilities. The Taliban’s resurgence, tenacious resistance against NATO forces in Afghanistan, Al Qaeda’s ability to elude United States forces, and the trouble Israel has had in trying to subdue violence in tiny Southern Lebanon (Hezbollah) and tinier Gaza (Hamas) deepen concern that even world’s finest militaries have problems against any kind of insurgent movement. Historical Background. The history of the use of airpower against irregulars’ dates back to 9 March 1916, Francisco "Pancho" Villa raided Columbus, New Mexico, and killed 17 Americans. The government of United States ordered General John "Black Jack" Pershing to organise a force of 15,000 troops to pursue Villa into Mexico and "take him dead or alive." Six days...

Words: 9536 - Pages: 39

Premium Essay

Army Writting

...Foreword The Army is the primary landpower arm of our Nation’s Armed Forces. It exists to serve the American people, protect enduring national interests, and fulfill the Nation’s military responsibilities. FM 1 is one of the Army’s two capstone field manuals. It contains our vision for the Army. While the entire manual is important, I would direct your attention to four particular items. FM 1 establishes the fundamental principles for employing landpower. The most important of these are the Army’s operational concept and the fundamentals that support it. They form the foundation for all Army doctrine. All Soldiers should understand and internalize them. FM 1 describes the American profession of arms, the Army’s place in it, and what it means to be a professional Soldier. Central to this discussion are the Soldier’s Creed, Warrior Ethos, and Army Values. These three statements establish the guiding values and standards of the Army profession. To understand Soldiers, you must know about them. To be a Soldier, you must live them. FM 1 discusses Army contributions to the joint force. As the Armed Forces achieve even greater joint interdependence, the Army will depend more on the other Services and vice versa. For this reason, the Army is currently transforming its units and institutions to enhance our campaign qualities for sustained operations and to achieve greater expeditionary and joint capabilities. It is important for Soldiers and all who support or are associated with the...

Words: 27577 - Pages: 111

Premium Essay

Emmerging Role of Un in the Management of Future Conflicts

...EMMERGING ROLE OF UN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FUTURE CONFLICTS INTRODUCTION Since the end of cold war, the world has been in a constant flux of changes, resulting into serious security risks. These risks range from border disputes to ethno-religious conflicts, most of which are likely to cause regional and global destabilization. In today’s unipolar world no single or group of states has the capacity to counter balance by themselves and therefore, the world is looking more towards United Nations (UN) for establishing World peace. The Collective power to shape the future is greater now than ever before. The world needs a new vision that can mobilize people everywhere to achieve higher levels of cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The foundation of UN some fifty five years ago was an expression by world leaders towards a new world wherein the international behavior and governance was about to begin. The domination of power blocks and less respect for use of UN forum for vested interest has curved the UN role. The potentialities of international organization led by UN are immense in this regard though not utilized to its full potential. At this new millenium every ones expectations are of more peaceful world order. But the natures of conflicts in future days are likely to be more diverse and complicated to be handled by UN. The causes of these conflicts will be mainly of race for nuclear power, global militarization, prolong economic sanction on...

Words: 12831 - Pages: 52

Free Essay

Title

...countless bored hours, teased one another endlessly about girlfriends or lack of same, driven in the middle of the night from Fort Benning to retrieve each other from some diner or strip club on Victory Drive after getting drunk and falling asleep or pissing off some barkeep. Through all those things, they had been training for a moment like this. It was the first time the lanky sergeant had been put in charge, and he was nervous about it. Pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death, Amen. It was midafternoon, October 3, 1993. Eversmann's Chalk Four was part of a force of U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force operators who were about to drop in uninvited on a gathering of Habr Gidr clan leaders in the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia. This ragged clan, led by warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, had picked a fight with the United States of America, and it was, without a doubt, going down. Today's targets were two of Aidid's lieutenants. They would be...

Words: 138827 - Pages: 556

Free Essay

Rivalries

...Identifying Rivals and Rivalries in World Politics Author(s): William R. Thompson Source: International Studies Quarterly, Vol. 45, No. 4 (Dec., 2001), pp. 557-586 Published by: Wiley on behalf of International Studies Association Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3096060 Accessed: 20-11-2015 13:22 UTC Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at http://www.jstor.org/page/ info/about/policies/terms.jsp JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. International Studies Association and Wiley are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to International Studies Quarterly. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 110.93.234.9 on Fri, 20 Nov 2015 13:22:55 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions International Studies Quarterly(2001) 45, 557-586. Identifying Rivals and Rivalries in World Politics WILLIAM R. THOMPSON Indiana University Instead of assuming that all actors are equally likely to clash, and that they do so independently of previous clashes, rivalry analysis can focus on the small number of feuding dyads that cause much of the trouble in...

Words: 18521 - Pages: 75

Free Essay

Conflict Analysis and Resolution

...Master Thesis Ethnic Conflicts and Transition to Democracy in Africa: Recurrence of Ethnic Conflicts in Kenya (1991-2008) Author: Berita Musau Matrikelnummer: 0601567 Academic degree aspired Master (M.A) Vienna, August, 2008 Studienkennzahl: A 067 805 Studienrichtung: Global Studies - a European Perspective Advisor: Prof. Dr. Walter Schicho Table of Contents Dedication ……………………………………………………………………. iii Acknowledgment …………………………………………………………….. iv List of Acronyms …………………………………………………………….. v List of Tables and figures …………………………………………………….. vii Abstract in English …………………………………………………………… viii Abstract in German …………………………………………………………... ix Chapter One: Introduction ………………………………………………… 1 1.1. Introduction …………………………………………………………… 1 1.2. Problem statement …………………………………………………….. 2 1.3. Aim and objectives of the research …………………………………… 4 1.4. Research questions and hypotheses …………………………………... 7 Chapter Two: Literature review and theoretical framework ……………. 8 2.1. Literature review ……………………………………………………… 8 2.2. Transition to democracy and ethnic conflicts in Africa ………………. 12 2.3. Definition of concepts ………………………………………………… 16 2.4. Theoretical framework for analysis of ethnic conflicts ……………….. 18 2.4. Research methodology ………………………………………………... 21 2.5. Significance of the research …………………………………………... 23 Chapter Three: Background to the struggle for democracy and ethnic conflicts in Kenya……………………………………………………………. 24 3.1. A short retrospect in to Kenya’s colonial...

Words: 37621 - Pages: 151

Free Essay

Globalization

...GLOBALIZATION THE ESSENTIALS GEORGE RITZER A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication Globalization Globalization A Basic Text George Ritzer This balanced introduction draws on academic and popular sources to examine the major issues and events in the history of globalization. Globalization: A Basic Text is a substantial introductory textbook, designed to work either on its own or alongside Readings in Globalization. The books are cross-referenced and are both structured around the core concepts of globalization. 2009 • 608 pages • 978-1-4051-3271-8 • paperback www.wiley.com/go/globalization Readings in Globalization Key Readings and Major Debates Edited by George Ritzer and Zeynep Atalay This unique and engaging anthology introduces students to the major concepts of globalization within the context of the key debates and disputes. Readings in Globalization illustrates that major debates in the field are not only useful to examine for their own merit but can extend our knowledge of globalization. The volume explores both the political economy of globalization and the relationship of culture to globalization. The volume is designed so it may be used independently, or alongside George Ritzer’s Globalization: A Basic Text for a complete student resource. 2010 • 560 pages • 978-1-4051-3273-2 • paperback Order together and save! Quote ISBN 978-1-4443-2371-9 GLOBALIZATION THE ESSENTIALS GEORGE RITZER A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication This edition first...

Words: 168078 - Pages: 673

Free Essay

Collapse

...Collapse- book is about a history topic about how societies choose to fail or survive. The main characters are historical people and unknown kings of Mayan cities or Easter Island villages. Jared Diamond tells the story of the Viking explorer Erik the Red, who discovered Greeland and Vinland (Terranova, in Canada). Another character is captain Olafsson, a norse sailor who wrote the last news about Greenland in 1410. Another main character is Christopher Columbus, who arrived at Hispaniola in 1492, but now this island is two countries, the Dominican Republic and the Haiti. Diamond studied the politics of two presidents. the dominican Rafael Trujillo, who protected the enviroment and the dictator François, Papa Doc, Duvalier, who decided on politics of deforestatation of his country, Haiti. The author considered the bad politics of another main character, king George II, who was interested in sending merinosheeps from Spain to Australia, an idea which was succesful from 1820 to 1950 but then the farmers understood their lands lost fertility. Another main character is Tokuwaga Jeayasu, a shogun of Japan in 1600, who prohibited Christianity in 1600 and protected his country againt deforestation.  The book takes us to a lot of places around the globe: Mayan cities, Rwanda, Viking colonies of Vinland or Greenland, Haiti and Dominican Republic, Easter Island and Polynesian colonies in Pacific, and the Chaco villages in New Mexico (United States). The time period was from 800 AC, when...

Words: 22095 - Pages: 89