The irregular quote of the day

Historian Niall Ferguson on the recent US-backed regime change in Somalia: -

The Islamists offered Somalia order; not a western order, to be sure, but order nonetheless. Under their rule, the price of an AK-47 in the Mogadishu markets slumped to $15, a sure sign that the warlords were being forced to downsize their militias. Young men no longer roared around the streets in the Mad Max-style vehicles known locally as “technicals” — trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns. Some were return–ing to school and university. Others were getting jobs with private electricity companies and airlines. Internet cafes were beginning to displace militia training camps. Kalashnikovs were being traded in for mobile phones.

Now, with the Islamists gone, the most likely scenario is a return of the warlords. Worse, the Muslims may now revert to the tactic of suicide bombing to destabilise the new government. As has happened in Afghanistan, the overthrow of a Muslim government will be followed not by a new order, but by the old disorder.

In the news: US launches air strike in Somalia (BBC)

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2 Responses to “The irregular quote of the day”


  1. 1 Tom

    I wonder how we can ever get Western governments, to act in a sane, rational, and honest manner?

  2. 2 tyger

    I’m sure we can. It will not be an Anglo-Saxon one though…

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