Somalia: Origins of Conflict and Unintended Consequences

Abstract

Four distinct elements led to the conflict between UN/US forces and the Somalis. These key elements were (1) the Somali culture and character, (2) the impact of the legacy left by the dictator Siad Barre on the psyche and ambitions of the Somali clans, (3) the tainted relationship between the UN leadership and the Somali people, and (4) the failure of the US and UN leaders to effectively deal with the most powerful and influential Somali warlord, General Mohammed Farah Aideed. The failure of both the US and the UN political and military leadership to fully understand and address these factors, thereby failing to know themselves and their enemy, resulted in unintended negative consequences.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA407566

Entities

People

  • Brent R. Norquist

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil War
  • Deployment
  • Families (Human)
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Information Operations
  • Insurgency
  • Joint Military Activities
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Operations
  • Military Training
  • National Politics
  • Political Systems
  • Students
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.