Congratulations on a piece that provides well-written and timely recap on the last two years in Somalia and in my opinion accurate reflection on the failing of US foreign policy in Somalia.

It is going to be critical that the new Obama Administration realises that they need a substantial overhaul of their policy on Somalia. It will not be enough to end the missile strikes, and offer greater support (if that's possible) for the Djibouti talks. Instead, the US needs to mark a clear shift in their attitude. This is going to be difficult, because given the current fractured security situation in South Central, there are few option left that don't embroil them with one side or another. One approach that has been talked about for some time, and some argue had it's feasibility demonstrated by the formation of the Islamic Courts Union is a bottom up approach, where local CSOs are given significant support to ensure first services in a locality, and then in negotiation with local leaders, establish a consensual authority that can ensure local security.

Don't fool yourself and others about Ethiopia's measures in Somali. Afterall, we have seen you how you survided for the last two decades- in chaos, starvation, and everything bad. One thing you should know is that Ethiopia has never been an invader in the region. She entered Somalia because your leaders (whether you like them or not) wanted it to save the fragile TFG. Ethiopia has the ability to decide as to what is a threat to its sovereignty. Two years before, UIC leaders declared war on Ethiopia. Then it was necessary to show UIC who Ethiopia was. Please try to history about the battle of Adua. Did the US give any support to Ethiopia during that historic battle? Weren't Ethiopians enough for Italians? Ask historians what your predecesors were doing when the Italians colonized your ambitious Great Somlia. Then you would know whether the US was the leading factor for Ethiopians to go into Somalia. We will see what your beloved Isalmists will bring to Soamlia. Anyways, I pray the Almighty God bring peace for anybody in Somalia.