Food Fight

July 18, 2008: The increased number of attacks on aid workers was initially attributed to Islamic Courts gangs trying to insure that the aid groups provided the gangs with a share of the aid. This has long been the only way aid groups could survive in Somalia, by giving a cut of the aid to the strongest armed gang in the area. But the Islamic Courts gangs are more ruthless, and media savvy. Their al Qaeda advisors have changed the rules. Thus you see senior aid officials murdered, and the Islamic Courts denying responsibility (but quietly suggesting to the aid groups that such murders can be avoided via cooperation.) Same deal with the media. Spin stories so that it favors the Islamic Courts, and you live. Report honestly, and you die. Reporters are expected to put an anti-U.S. spin on their reports, even though most of the food, and much of the other aid, is paid for by the United States. No good deed goes unpunished in this part of the world. more .http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/somalia/articles/20080718.aspx