Realpolitik on the Horn of Africa
by Vincent G. Heintz
Download Full Article: Eritrea and Al Shabaab
Eritrea and Ethiopia are neighbors on the Horn of Africa. They share common languages, ethnicities, tribal structures and religious traditions. By outward appearances, they should co-exist symbiotically, like Canada and the United States. Instead, they resemble the Koreas -- each at the other's throat with no prospect for reconciliation on the horizon. Eritrean political culture over the past fifty years has spawned a national psyche consumed with fear and hatred of all things Ethiopian. That same culture has isolated Eritrea from the African Union (AU), the UN and the United States, and has driven the country into alignment with destabilizing regional forces for which it has no pre-ordained cultural affinity. Principal among Eritrea's unlikely allies is Al Shabaab, the al Qaeda-affiliated militia prosecuting the Islamist insurgency in Somalia and an expanding terror campaign in greater Africa. This article reviews the genesis of this strange alliance and explores potential military solutions.
Download Full Article: Eritrea and Al Shabaab
Major Vincent G Heintz is an Infantry Officer in the New York National Guard who has served in command and military advisor positions in Iraq and Afghanistan. In civilian life, Major Heintz practices law in New York City.
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< snip >, first portion of this post, attack rant, was deleted by SWJED...
For the record, we Eritreans do not have any hatred against Ethiopians. Of course we remember the past, but we are willing to see forward and work for harmonious co-existence with the Ethiopians. But the Problem lies with the Ethiopians. A lot of them (if not most of them) have problem to accept Eritrea as a free country. The second current problem is the Ethiopian army is occupying Eritrean territory. These are the major problems with the Ethiopians. If you or anybody is expecting us to compromise our freedom or our territory it will never going to happen. We (the Eritreans) are ready to work with anybody based on mutual respect and partnership.