The Downward Spiral of Fragile and Failing States
The latest World Bank study on failed and failing states (now called “fragile states”) shows just how rapidly the global situation is deteriorating. As reported in the Washington Post by Karen DeYoung, the number of states that could provide logistical bases and ungoverned spaces for terrorists, transnational criminal organizations and other armed non-state groups has jumped from 17 in 2003 to 26 this year.
The growth of “black holes” and stateless regions is even more alarming when compared to a similar study done by the Bank in 1996, when only 11 states fell into the category of failed states.
Hurdles facing these countries include “weak security, fractured societal relations, corruption, breakdown in the rule of law, lack of mechanisms for generating legitimate power and authority” and limited investment resources to meet basic needs, the report said.
This, in a uni-polar world where the Islamists are seeking to exploit the lack of government control, alliances with transnational criminal groups and rear guard areas to train and begin the caliphate, is extremely dangerous. This puts large sections of the world off limits to traditional state levers of diplomacy, aid, intelligence gathering and international sanction.Of the curent count, Africa, the perenial leader in the field, accounts for 16 of the countries, up from 10 in 2003 (and seven in 1996). This trend justifies the growing DOD concern about Africa as the key region of emerging Islamist threats. No other region is even close.
Most worrisome is the appearance of two of the continent’s powerhouses on the list for the first time. Both Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria now join the ranks of Liberia, Zimbabwe, Guinea and Guinea Bissau as nation’s where the government is largely ineffective. Nigeria, with is vast oil reserves, is of particular concern for U.S. strategic interests.
But Cote d’Ivoire is of equal concern because it offers a relatively good banking infrastructure, a large expatriate Lebanese community long simpathetic to Hizbollah, and regional access for moving goods and people. DRC and Zimbabwe contol vital strategic minerals that the Chinese are happily exploiting, and the list goes on and on.
The Bush administration has been slow to recognize the danger posed by failed and failing states, but has at least begun to acknoweldge the crisis.
“The danger they pose is now unparalleled,” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wrote in a column that appeared late last year in The Washington Post. “Absent responsible state authority, threats that would and should be contained within a country’s borders can now melt into the world and wreak untold havoc.
“Weak and failing states,” Rice said, “serve as global pathways that facilitate the spread of pandemics, the movement of criminals and terrorists, and the proliferation of the world’s most dangerous weapons.”
Unfortunately, those words have not translated into a coherent policy or even an ability to place the threats posed by these regions anywhere near the top of the priority list. But, if current trends continue, we will have to pay attention because there will be fewer and fewer states to deal with.
commenting closed for this article
Al Qaeda's Changing Strategy and Warnings of Attacks The Islamist Reponse to the Pope's Comments
We are headed for a world where the bad guys outnumber the good. Throw in a portion for appeasers and we are in for a world of hurt. I have tried to cut the administration some slack. It appears that we are nation that gets put on the spot all the time. I want to know where the rest of the world stands. They claim our “unilateral” approach is causing the discontent in the world but these same nations do nothing but fiddle. We have the greatest military power in history but we do have limits. We can’t be fighting everybody’s battles for them. When we do try to help we get lambasted by those who won’t defend themselves. The “World Community” no longer looks at things as right or wrong. As long as this is this ambivalence rules there will be no coherent policy. Our so-called allies need to pick up the slack. If they do not deem civilization as vital then let them rot.It’s times like these that make Pat Buchanan sound reasonable.
— James Biga Sep 15, 13:49 #
Everyday someone comes up with another way that the administration is failing in the world. Yet everyday, plenty of people, including these people, berate the adminstration for “bullying” the rest of the world. Either it’s a shared responsiblity among the stable governments of the world, especially the democracies, or it’s not. There is a European Union, an African Union, Large, powerful, stable Asian democracies, and powerful Latin American coutries. This is either their responsiblity too, or they should stand aside and give the United States the go ahead to bring order.
Maybe the real split in America, is between those who are willing to take on these responsiblities and those who are not.
— Wally Lind Sep 15, 14:45 #
The US has proven itself to be completely inept and bordering on dangerous when it comes to nation building. I’d like to hear alternative ideas on how the US can constructively assist in state reorganizing. If anyone has any good links, I’d love to read them.
— vachon Sep 15, 16:50 #
Vachon, on this topic, I thought it was tragic/comic reading about Henry Paulsen lecturing the Chinese how they needed to adopt ‘market-oriented’ reforms in order to better ‘control’ their economy. ‘We’ have much to learn. Nation building? I go with Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine.
— bb Sep 16, 00:07 #
I believe that we are witnesses of a development of new anti-western block. Interesting thing is that nobody comments latest Non-aligned summit. It is dominated with anti-western ideas. Most prominent figures are Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro and Mugabe.
I think that they are ready to fill the vacuum Mr. Farah is talking about. They are taking over the role of former Soviet Union. They are denouncing democracy and market economy, which is something that most of us here take for granted. We should get used to live in bipolar world, again. Just like Soviets they will install satelite regimes in failed states.
On the other hand, they will gradually marginalize Al-Qaeda, and similar fanatics, as more “real world” alternative. I guess there will always be people that feel uncomfortable and insecure in democracy and market economy, and that they will always want to form some kind of alliance. Some of those people were attracted by AQ, but they will look for something else.
My conclusions ara:
DG
— Drazen Gemic, Zagreb, Croatia Sep 16, 12:05 #
Hi! Good luck world !!!
sedh
— Mike Oct 12, 02:15 #
directory porn star read http://directory-porn-star.xawp.info/ directory porn star photo [URL=http://directory-porn-star.xawp.info/]directory porn star[/URL] online
http://free-huge-boob.xawp.info/ free huge boob photo free huge boob photo [URL=http://free-huge-boob.xawp.info/]free huge boob[/URL] read [URL=http://water-bondage.xawp.info/]water bondage[/URL] doc water bondage read http://water-bondage.xawp.info/ water bondage online gay boy love doc http://gay-boy-love.xawp.info/ gay boy love news [URL=http://gay-boy-love.xawp.info/]gay boy love[/URL] photo teen girl thong doc http://teen-girl-thong.xawp.info/ teen girl thong news [URL=http://teen-girl-thong.xawp.info/]teen girl thong[/URL] news cock huge porn read http://cock-huge-porn.xawp.info/ cock huge porn photo [URL=http://cock-huge-porn.xawp.info/]cock huge porn[/URL] video [URL=http://asian-exhibitionism.xawp.info/]asian exhibitionism[/URL] online http://asian-exhibitionism.xawp.info/ asian exhibitionism video asian exhibitionism doc bbw anal fucking news http://bbw-anal-fucking.xawp.info/ bbw anal fucking read [URL=http://bbw-anal-fucking.xawp.info/]bbw anal fucking[/URL] photo fat girl facial photo [URL=http://fat-girl-facial.xawp.info/]fat girl facial[/URL] video http://fat-girl-facial.xawp.info/ fat girl facial online anal blonde hot doc [URL=http://anal-blonde-hot.xawp.info/]anal blonde hot[/URL] read http://anal-blonde-hot.xawp.info/ anal blonde hot photo [URL=http://cheerleader-high-school.xawp.info/]cheerleader high school[/URL] doc cheerleader high school doc http://cheerleader-high-school.xawp.info/ cheerleader high school video— bbw anal fucking Nov 25, 00:36 #
[URL=http://us-toy.xawp.info/]us toy[/URL] read us toy news http://us-toy.xawp.info/ us toy doc
[URL=http://gay-boy-fun.xawp.info/]gay boy fun[/URL] read gay boy fun read http://gay-boy-fun.xawp.info/ gay boy fun online [URL=http://france-voyeur.xawp.info/]france voyeur[/URL] doc http://france-voyeur.xawp.info/ france voyeur photo france voyeur online http://transsexual-anal.xawp.info/ transsexual anal read [URL=http://transsexual-anal.xawp.info/]transsexual anal[/URL] video transsexual anal news [URL=http://messy-cum-shot.xawp.info/]messy cum shot[/URL] read messy cum shot photo http://messy-cum-shot.xawp.info/ messy cum shot doc http://sleepy-girl-fetish.xawp.info/ sleepy girl fetish doc [URL=http://sleepy-girl-fetish.xawp.info/]sleepy girl fetish[/URL] photo sleepy girl fetish doc bondage sexual video http://bondage-sexual.xawp.info/ bondage sexual photo [URL=http://bondage-sexual.xawp.info/]bondage sexual[/URL] read http://obrien-water-sport.xawp.info/ obrien water sport news [URL=http://obrien-water-sport.xawp.info/]obrien water sport[/URL] video obrien water sport doc http://girl-redhead-teen.xawp.info/ girl redhead teen photo [URL=http://girl-redhead-teen.xawp.info/]girl redhead teen[/URL] news girl redhead teen read [URL=http://couple-exhibitionism.xawp.info/]couple exhibitionism[/URL] read http://couple-exhibitionism.xawp.info/ couple exhibitionism news couple exhibitionism online [URL=http://young-hardcore-fucking.xawp.info/]young hardcore fucking[/URL] photo http://young-hardcore-fucking.xawp.info/ young hardcore fucking video young hardcore fucking doc— young hardcore fucking Nov 25, 01:51 #
girl hairy shower doc http://girl-hairy-shower.xawp.info/ girl hairy shower read [URL=http://girl-hairy-shower.xawp.info/]girl hairy shower[/URL] photo
party girl smoking photo [URL=http://party-girl-smoking.xawp.info/]party girl smoking[/URL] photo http://party-girl-smoking.xawp.info/ party girl smoking read [URL=http://lesbian-bondage.xawp.info/]lesbian bondage[/URL] photo lesbian bondage online http://lesbian-bondage.xawp.info/ lesbian bondage read [URL=http://asian-upskirt.xawp.info/]asian upskirt[/URL] news http://asian-upskirt.xawp.info/ asian upskirt online asian upskirt online [URL=http://outdoor-bondage.xawp.info/]outdoor bondage[/URL] photo http://outdoor-bondage.xawp.info/ outdoor bondage online outdoor bondage read http://colts-cheerleader.xawp.info/ colts cheerleader read [URL=http://colts-cheerleader.xawp.info/]colts cheerleader[/URL] doc colts cheerleader doc http://cock-huge-uncut.xawp.info/ cock huge uncut read cock huge uncut read [URL=http://cock-huge-uncut.xawp.info/]cock huge uncut[/URL] news [URL=http://japanese-blow-job.xawp.info/]japanese blow job[/URL] doc http://japanese-blow-job.xawp.info/ japanese blow job news japanese blow job news http://drunk-lesbian-girl.xawp.info/ drunk lesbian girl news drunk lesbian girl online [URL=http://drunk-lesbian-girl.xawp.info/]drunk lesbian girl[/URL] news http://big-toy.xawp.info/ big toy video big toy online [URL=http://big-toy.xawp.info/]big toy[/URL] online http://girl-smoking-teenage.xawp.info/ girl smoking teenage read girl smoking teenage read [URL=http://girl-smoking-teenage.xawp.info/]girl smoking teenage[/URL] news— girl hairy shower Nov 25, 03:08 #
[URL=http://outdoor-bdsm.xawp.info/]outdoor bdsm[/URL] photo outdoor bdsm video http://outdoor-bdsm.xawp.info/ outdoor bdsm photo
http://exhibitionism-world.xawp.info/ exhibitionism world video [URL=http://exhibitionism-world.xawp.info/]exhibitionism world[/URL] read exhibitionism world read http://asian-boy-gay.xawp.info/ asian boy gay doc [URL=http://asian-boy-gay.xawp.info/]asian boy gay[/URL] read asian boy gay doc [URL=http://anal-fucking-pretty.xawp.info/]anal fucking pretty[/URL] photo anal fucking pretty photo http://anal-fucking-pretty.xawp.info/ anal fucking pretty video [URL=http://latina-little-girl.xawp.info/]latina little girl[/URL] photo http://latina-little-girl.xawp.info/ latina little girl doc latina little girl news [URL=http://girl-bra-pantie.xawp.info/]girl bra pantie[/URL] online http://girl-bra-pantie.xawp.info/ girl bra pantie read girl bra pantie doc fisting girl young video [URL=http://fisting-girl-young.xawp.info/]fisting girl young[/URL] video http://fisting-girl-young.xawp.info/ fisting girl young doc skinny blonde hot online [URL=http://skinny-blonde-hot.xawp.info/]skinny blonde hot[/URL] doc http://skinny-blonde-hot.xawp.info/ skinny blonde hot doc pussy upskirt photo http://pussy-upskirt.xawp.info/ pussy upskirt news [URL=http://pussy-upskirt.xawp.info/]pussy upskirt[/URL] read [URL=http://girl-party-teen.xawp.info/]girl party teen[/URL] read http://girl-party-teen.xawp.info/ girl party teen online girl party teen news pet toy doc http://pet-toy.xawp.info/ pet toy online [URL=http://pet-toy.xawp.info/]pet toy[/URL] read— fisting girl young Nov 25, 04:24 #
bdsm art work online http://bdsm-art-work.xawp.info/ bdsm art work photo [URL=http://bdsm-art-work.xawp.info/]bdsm art work[/URL] video
http://hot-transsexual.xawp.info/ hot transsexual read hot transsexual doc [URL=http://hot-transsexual.xawp.info/]hot transsexual[/URL] news http://man-masturbating-video.xawp.info/ man masturbating video news man masturbating video photo [URL=http://man-masturbating-video.xawp.info/]man masturbating video[/URL] online shemale fucking guys online [URL=http://shemale-fucking-guys.xawp.info/]shemale fucking guys[/URL] doc http://shemale-fucking-guys.xawp.info/ shemale fucking guys news [URL=http://brunette-anal.xawp.info/]brunette anal[/URL] photo brunette anal video http://brunette-anal.xawp.info/ brunette anal doc cartoon porn futurama online [URL=http://cartoon-porn-futurama.xawp.info/]cartoon porn futurama[/URL] news http://cartoon-porn-futurama.xawp.info/ cartoon porn futurama video long anal movie video http://long-anal-movie.xawp.info/ long anal movie news [URL=http://long-anal-movie.xawp.info/]long anal movie[/URL] photo http://huge-boob-brunette.xawp.info/ huge boob brunette photo huge boob brunette online [URL=http://huge-boob-brunette.xawp.info/]huge boob brunette[/URL] video http://free-gallery-upskirt.xawp.info/ free gallery upskirt read [URL=http://free-gallery-upskirt.xawp.info/]free gallery upskirt[/URL] video free gallery upskirt online extreme bondage doc http://extreme-bondage.xawp.info/ extreme bondage doc [URL=http://extreme-bondage.xawp.info/]extreme bondage[/URL] photo http://bondage-extreme.xawp.info/ bondage extreme read [URL=http://bondage-extreme.xawp.info/]bondage extreme[/URL] doc bondage extreme video— huge boob brunette Nov 25, 05:50 #
horse toy online [URL=http://horse-toy.xawp.info/]horse toy[/URL] news http://horse-toy.xawp.info/ horse toy video
[URL=http://hot-old-babes.xawp.info/]hot old babes[/URL] online hot old babes photo http://hot-old-babes.xawp.info/ hot old babes read porn star name video http://porn-star-name.xawp.info/ porn star name video [URL=http://porn-star-name.xawp.info/]porn star name[/URL] read porn star tryouts photo http://porn-star-tryouts.xawp.info/ porn star tryouts news [URL=http://porn-star-tryouts.xawp.info/]porn star tryouts[/URL] photo hose pantie upskirt video [URL=http://hose-pantie-upskirt.xawp.info/]hose pantie upskirt[/URL] news http://hose-pantie-upskirt.xawp.info/ hose pantie upskirt doc http://college-girl-lesbian.xawp.info/ college girl lesbian read college girl lesbian news [URL=http://college-girl-lesbian.xawp.info/]college girl lesbian[/URL] video http://bdsm-equipment.xawp.info/ bdsm equipment online [URL=http://bdsm-equipment.xawp.info/]bdsm equipment[/URL] news bdsm equipment news man in bondage online [URL=http://man-in-bondage.xawp.info/]man in bondage[/URL] video http://man-in-bondage.xawp.info/ man in bondage video [URL=http://anal-sex-fucking.xawp.info/]anal sex fucking[/URL] news anal sex fucking photo http://anal-sex-fucking.xawp.info/ anal sex fucking photo [URL=http://girl-latin-lesbian.xawp.info/]girl latin lesbian[/URL] online http://girl-latin-lesbian.xawp.info/ girl latin lesbian read girl latin lesbian online orlando sport water news [URL=http://orlando-sport-water.xawp.info/]orlando sport water[/URL] doc http://orlando-sport-water.xawp.info/ orlando sport water doc— anal sex fucking Nov 25, 07:27 #
http://girl-gone-lesbian.xawp.info/ girl gone lesbian doc [URL=http://girl-gone-lesbian.xawp.info/]girl gone lesbian[/URL] read girl gone lesbian doc
fuck interracial milf read [URL=http://fuck-interracial-milf.xawp.info/]fuck interracial milf[/URL] photo http://fuck-interracial-milf.xawp.info/ fuck interracial milf online girl model pantie read http://girl-model-pantie.xawp.info/ girl model pantie online [URL=http://girl-model-pantie.xawp.info/]girl model pantie[/URL] video http://shemale-ass.xawp.info/ shemale ass photo shemale ass online [URL=http://shemale-ass.xawp.info/]shemale ass[/URL] video [URL=http://boy-gay-school.xawp.info/]boy gay school[/URL] doc boy gay school video http://boy-gay-school.xawp.info/ boy gay school read [URL=http://latina-blow-job.xawp.info/]latina blow job[/URL] news latina blow job news http://latina-blow-job.xawp.info/ latina blow job video http://pregnant-girl-video.xawp.info/ pregnant girl video online [URL=http://pregnant-girl-video.xawp.info/]pregnant girl video[/URL] video pregnant girl video read smoking college girl read [URL=http://smoking-college-girl.xawp.info/]smoking college girl[/URL] read http://smoking-college-girl.xawp.info/ smoking college girl photo big boob huge online [URL=http://big-boob-huge.xawp.info/]big boob huge[/URL] news http://big-boob-huge.xawp.info/ big boob huge video girl muscle natural video [URL=http://girl-muscle-natural.xawp.info/]girl muscle natural[/URL] doc http://girl-muscle-natural.xawp.info/ girl muscle natural video http://hardcore-interracial-fucking.xawp.info/ hardcore interracial fucking photo hardcore interracial fucking read [URL=http://hardcore-interracial-fucking.xawp.info/]hardcore interracial fucking[/URL] online— shemale ass Nov 25, 09:04 #
http://party-blow-job.xawp.info/ party blow job photo party blow job read [URL=http://party-blow-job.xawp.info/]party blow job[/URL] doc
huge ass boob doc http://huge-ass-boob.xawp.info/ huge ass boob online [URL=http://huge-ass-boob.xawp.info/]huge ass boob[/URL] online fucking nice tit photo http://fucking-nice-tit.xawp.info/ fucking nice tit news [URL=http://fucking-nice-tit.xawp.info/]fucking nice tit[/URL] news— fucking nice tit Nov 25, 11:56 #