Friday, December 29, 2006
I Know the Secret of Ethiopia's Success in Somalia
In about a week, elements of the Ethiopian Army have driven to and taken Mogadishu (the capitol of Somalia) and driven out the Taliban-like Somalia Islamic Courts Council (SICC) with little trouble and negligible casualties on the Ethiopian side. Lots of Westerners who recall the difficulty we had cleaning out the gang-like, war lord led tribes there, in the infamous 'Black Hawk Down' fight, wonder why Ethiopian fighters make it look so easy. I happen to know why, because I read a lot of military history.
The Ethiopians are superb warriors. Ethiopia is one of the countries that should be on the "Never Invade These" list given to the new president just after inauguration. The British and the Egyptians had the devil of a time with them last century. Despite huge differences in technologies, they kicked Italian ass in the mid 1890s and again in the mid 30s (although they lost that last one). They had the very best service record of any country in the UN effort in Korea in the early 50s. They fought a tough civil war for years after Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed in 1974. The Ethiopians fought a war and lost to Eritria in the late 1990s after that former part of Ethiopia (and apparently just as tough in war) seceded and succeeded. They also had another one sided fight against Somalia as late as 1997. They have a big army and they're just good.
The Ethiopians are superb warriors. Ethiopia is one of the countries that should be on the "Never Invade These" list given to the new president just after inauguration. The British and the Egyptians had the devil of a time with them last century. Despite huge differences in technologies, they kicked Italian ass in the mid 1890s and again in the mid 30s (although they lost that last one). They had the very best service record of any country in the UN effort in Korea in the early 50s. They fought a tough civil war for years after Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed in 1974. The Ethiopians fought a war and lost to Eritria in the late 1990s after that former part of Ethiopia (and apparently just as tough in war) seceded and succeeded. They also had another one sided fight against Somalia as late as 1997. They have a big army and they're just good.
# posted by Roger Fraley @ 4:43 PM 
Comments:
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They do not fight a PC war and the new Western idea of proportionality is not in their lexicon. So I guess the descendents of the oldest civilization in history is not civilized by today's standards. This must be true since I have noticed that yesterday the NGOs discovered that they do evil things; ah, they must be aligned with the good ole US of A.
# posted by 
: 7:11 PM
: 7:11 PM
Eric, there is a bit of arm tying behind our backs that was very evident during Viet Nam and during Clinton's administration, but we can't dwell in the past. Mike, I'm saying they have a good army (they couldn't beat us but I wouldn't be eager to fight them). They appear to have the same ability we have to enter a country and go right for the capital--let's see what happens next. Two words, anon, but both good ones.
Amr, I try to be as cynical as you appear to be but I can't keep up. Good points though.
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Amr, I try to be as cynical as you appear to be but I can't keep up. Good points though.
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