First, I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Next, the following from AP:

Ethiopia’s prime minister says his country has been “forced to enter a war” against Somalia’s powerful Islamic movement.

Last year a group of Islamic extremests with reported ties to Al Qaeda took over the capital city of Somalia, and have since been working to expand their grip on the country and the region. Ethiopia is a largely Christian nation who is understandably concerned, especial when extremest in its own boarders are working with them.

Ethiopia has sent fighter jets into neighboring Somalia, bombarding several towns.

It’s the first time that Ethiopia has acknowledged its troops are fighting in Somalia, though witnesses have been reporting their presence for weeks.

Ethiopia, a largely Christian nation that fears the emergence of a neighboring Islamic state, dropped bombs on several towns held by the Council of Islamic Courts and its soldiers used artillery and tanks elsewhere. No reliable casualty reports were immediately available.

As noted above the UN is involved and backing the official, non-Islamic government. However, the UN has been less than successful - as they always are. The UN must be the most incompetent, over funded force in human history.

Ethiopia has been providing military support to Somalia’s U.N.-backed government, which has been losing ground to Islamic forces since June.

Ethiopia has been forced to provide military support when the UN cannot even address a handfull of Islamic extremests who occupy a couple of towns in a minor African nation. Amazing.

The AP points out, rightly so, that there is more going on here than a battle internal to Somalia or even Ethiopia.

Experts fear the conflict in Somalia could engulf the already volatile Horn of Africa. A recent U.N. report said 10 countries have been illegally supplying arms and equipment to both sides of the conflict and using Somalia as a proxy battlefield. Residents living along Somalia’s coast have seen hundreds of foreign Islamic radicals entering the country to answer calls by religious leaders to fight a holy war against Ethiopia.

It safe to assume this is just the beginning, and is likely to blossom considerably further in the new year. I believe this is exactly the sort of conflict that the US should be involved in, adding additional forces, arms, and expertise to areas which need them and in which they can do the most good.

Also reporting:
Hot Air
7.62MM Justice
OTB