The war-machine to the south just won't stop. The self-proclaimed “war president,” who knows nothing of the horrendous realities of war and has never fought one, just can't get enough of starting, joining, and escalating conflicts.

The Bush administration is essentially playing a game of “Risk,” attempting to expand their empire, while gambling away America's credibility and respect. Although there were more than half-a-million people who marched in Washington against the plan to send additional troops to Iraq, there was very little talk of a new illegal war being fought discreetly. Why is nobody talking about the fact that the United States has invaded and is waging war in Somalia again?

Somalia has been in the grips of civil war since the last time that the U.S. invaded, and was pushed out by local militias who shot down American helicopters. Since 1991, Somalia has had no real government and has been a very chaotic place in a constant state of war.

This civil war has been waged by various different warlords, who are attempting to expand their power. The United States broke arms embargos and sold weapons to various warlords, profiteering off the destruction of this African state. The illegal arms sales were increased drastically once the warlords united to fight against the Islamic Courts Union who were gaining widespread support from the people and started imposing the peoples will. The Islamic Courts Union, a movement of Sunni Muslims, who represent the vast majority of the Somali people, took control of nearly the entire country this past September. They fought off the various regional warlords and established peace, stability, and the rule of law; something that the western-backed and U.N.-recognized transitional government had never come close to accomplishing. However, this peace and stability were short-lived. Somalia's neighbor and arch-rival; Ethiopia, was unsettled by the prospect of a unified and strong Somalia run by an Islamic government. The United States were also afraid that another Muslim county would be united and run by a true Islamic government that represented its population. So America attempted to link Somalia's Islamic Courts to Al-Qaeda, the American press ran with this and started demonizing the Somali Islamic Courts.

Once it became clear that the Islamic Courts Union had effectively taken control, and that there was virtually no resistance to this among Somalis, who were simply happy to finally have some peace and stability, Ethiopia took it upon itself to become the resistance to the Islamic Courts and sent troops into Somalia as well massed all their troops along the border with the intention to invade. Ethiopia was backed politically, economically, and most importantly militarily, by the United States, who defended Ethiopia's illegal actions as well as took part in them. Although the news kept this situation quiet, the American government openly admits that its fighter jets bombed Somalia on numerous occasions to weaken the country for Ethiopia's invasion. Then they sent commandoes in with Ethiopian troops to finish the job. This was first denied by the American military but has now been confirmed by the Pentagon. The United States military is currently conducting another pre-emptive, illegal war, based on lies and intolerance. They are enforcing and taking part in an occupation in Somalia against the Somali people's will.

Was the concept of a peaceful and stable Somalia run by Somali's that much of a threat to the West? Do you feel any safer now that America has launched another illegal war and occupation? The only way to describe this act is foolish imperialism. America is really playing a risky game, one that they will lose. People will not just allow other nations to occupy their countries and impose their will. The people of the world will rebel; this is how all empires fall.

A peaceful worldwide revolution is the ideal way to stop this insanity from continuing. The people of the world need to continue to demand that war-mongering leaders are not allowed to play us as pawns in their games of imperialist global domination. We need to bring these criminals to justice for war crimes.

Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.