Somalia

Research Paper # 93877

History > African
International Relations
Political Science > U.S.

Somalia

An analysis of the United States involvement in Somalia and other conflict regions.

3,481 words () | 13 sources | APA | 2006 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the famine and violence that occurred in Somalia between 1991 and 1993. It specifically focuses on the involvement of the United States in the region and discusses its international action prior to the current conflict in Iraq. The paper describes the failure of the U.S. involvement in Somalia and how its policies have changed with regards to matters of other nations.

From the Paper:

"No one could ever forget the images that appeared on the newscasts on October 4, 1993 when Delta snipers Seargent First Class Randall Shugart and Master Seargent Gary Gordon's bodies were mutilated and dragged through the streets by an angry mob of Somalis. The men had requested to be dropped into the mob to try and save co-pilot Michael Durant of the second downed Blackhawk Helicopter. The men probably knew that they would be down there alone and most likely killed. The two snipers were the first soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. However, this heroic act was the tail end of U.S. involvement in Somalia. Since the end of World War II, violence and mass starvation had persisted in Somalia. The United Nations and the US did not formally address the problem until 1992, after which 300,000 people had starved to death within six months. The Somali warlords who seized power in 1991 used hunger as a weapon against the masses."

Sample of Sources Used:

"Another Cold War Casualty," The Humanist Jan. 1993. Vol.53, Iss. 1.
"How Somalia Crumbled," Time Magazine Dec. 14. 1992. Vol. 140, Iss. 24.
"Krazy Khat," The New Republic (November, 23.) Vol. 207, Iss. 22.
"The Somalia Mission; Clinton's Words on Somalia: The Responsibilities of American Leadership" New York Times Oct. 8, 1993: A. 15.
Clarke, Walter. "Somalia and the Future of Humanitarian Intervention" Foreign Affairs. (Mar-April, 1996) Vol. 75, Iss. 2.