Baker Institute Student Forum debate: U.S. intervention long missing

By Thomas Boyd     2/3/11 6:00pm

Following the self-inflicted death by fire of a young man in Tunisia that sparked a revolution and drove the dictator-president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali into exile, six men in Egypt, Mauritius and Algeria have immolated themselves, trying to incite similar riots in their countries. The movement in Tunisia has yet to take on a clear leader, but the original protesters were college educated and middle class, who were outraged and blaming a corrupt government for the lack of opportunities available in their country. While open revolt has yet to break out in other African nations, tensions are high and the United States cannot afford to ignore or be surprised by the situation. China has invested billions in Africa while placing no conditions for respect of human rights upon its investments and, consequently, has gained access to many resources and developed a growing sphere of influence.

HIV and other global health concerns continue to rage unchecked; Somali pirates can cause the cost of international shipping to skyrocket and war-torn countries and dictators are eager to welcome terrorists with money. As recent activity shows, even well-developed North Africa, significantly less troubled by violence and disease than sub-Saharan Africa, is not free from unrest and may be poised for major upheavals. North Africa is also distinguished by the strong influence of Islam, giving regional developments potentially global effects. Now, more than ever, it is vital that the U.S. take a more active and informed role in Africa.

Unfortunately, the lack of past involvement limits the available options for the U.S. in the immediate future. Some observers might advocate a sudden strong intervention to prevent the rise of hostile or abusive dictators. I would ask these advocates to remember the recent experience of the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. had already been at war with Iraq and in the 1970s had worked alongside and funded the Taliban in the fight against the Russians.

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Both countries are in a region that has received a high level of international attention for decades, and yet, at every step, U.S. involvement suffered from a lack of knowledge of the region. America has no sizable body of experts to implement a reasonable plan for direct involvement in North Africa right now, and familiarity with a region takes time to acquire. America doesn't have enough linguists. Various dialects of Arabic are the official languages in Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria, and, as complaints abound of a shortage of Arabic speakers to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, I can't imagine the U.S. has many to spare for direct involvement ?in Tunisia.

The U.S. needs to get involved, but another misadventure with nation building will only inspire greater conflict. As unpalatable as it sounds at a time when men are setting themselves on fire, a policy of gradually increasing investment, attention and involvement seems to be the only way forward.

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