Somalia: America’s National Security Interest There is What?

Did you see the movie Black Hawk Down? A rescue mission in Somalia was botched thanks to poor decision making by the Clinton administration and the American commander in charge of the ill advised attempt. The American loss of life was tragic and totally unrelated to America’s national security. Give the movie Black Hawk Down and or the excellent book on the same subject a good read. You will have a better understanding of America’s on going foreign policy disarray thanks to the ever persistent over-lording by neocon factions (see John McCain, Bill Kristol et al.). Now the Wall Street Journal reports that a Navy SEAL has died while participating in an “advise and assist mission” with the Somali army fighting Al-Shabab. Two other American service members were wounded. What purpose did their deaths serve fighting in a Somali civil war that has been underway for over a decade? From the WSJ:

WASHINGTON—A U.S. Navy SEAL has been killed while fighting an al Qaeda-affiliated militant group in Somalia, defense officials said Friday.

Two other service members were wounded in a firefight with al-Shabaab militants near the capital, Mogadishu, on Thursday, Pentagon officials said.

Defense officials said it appeared to be the first U.S. combat death in Somalia since 1993, when 18 U.S. service members were killed in what became known as the battle of Mogadishu, memorialized in the film “Black Hawk Down.”

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Black Hawk Down (2001) – Official Trailer [HD]