Category: Somalia

9/11 @ 20: It Could Have Been So Much Worse!

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

The promised guest post will appear below.

20 years ago. Thursday. Nice late summer day. I happened to be at home. My mother in law called and said “put the tv on“. Then, as now, the tv was off. Never been much of a fan. So I turned it on and wow! I could hardly believe what was taking place. Planes hitting buildings? Buildings exploding/collapsing as if they’d been rigged with explosives for demolition? Falling far to neatly and compactly for the massive structures they were. Some talking heads were stating, that day, the destruction was reminiscent of controlled demolitions.

9/11 @ 20: It Could Have Been So Much Worse!

Since 9/11, FBI Has Destroyed People Based On Their Race, Religion, Or Country Of Origin

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

[Editor’s Note: To mark the 20th anniversary of the rise of the American security state after the September 11th attacks, The Dissenter presents aretrospective on this transformation in law enforcement and government. Each entry in the series, “Twenty Years In A Security State,” will connect with whistleblower stories where possible.]

Since 9/11, FBI Has Destroyed People Based On Their Race, Religion, Or Country Of Origin

Growing Neo-Colonial Instability Points To The Looming Civilizational Collapse Of Most Of The Globe

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

I say “most of the globe” because the 21st century civilizational collapse we’re in the early stages of isn’t going to be distributed evenly. Of course, in the long term the unraveling may catch up to even the most momentarily stable areas; as futurist William Gibson has said, “The future is already here — it’s just not evenly distributed.” Which can apply to the breakdown of peace and order as much as it can apply to the expansion of life-improving technologies.

Growing Neo-Colonial Instability Points To The Looming Civilizational Collapse Of Most Of The Globe

[2020] Why tiny Djibouti hosts both China and U.S. military bases – only a few kilometers apart

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Why tiny Djibouti hosts both China and U.S. military bases – only a few kilometers apart

The U.S. opened its military base, Camp Lemonnier, in the East African nation in 2003 and now the biggest base in Africa. It currently has about 4,500 troops stationed in it. Just 12km away from the U.S. base is China’s which was opened in 2017 with around 2,000 military personnel. The decision by China to set up military bases overseas is surprising as it has historically been opposed to the idea.

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The U.S. established the Camp Lemonnier in 2003 after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. It is home to some 4,500 personnel, some of whom are engaged in secretive missions and targeted drone killings in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, according to the New York Times.

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The lease of land for military bases has become one of the important sources of revenue for the government. In other words, it is the biggest foreign exchange earner for the country. Washington pays $63 million annually for a 10-year lease of the area while China pays $20 million a year, in addition to other investments. It is therefore not difficult to see why the former French colony will look pass the rivalry that exists between the two superpowers.

Biden Administration Escalates Airstrikes in Somalia

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Biden Administration Escalates Airstrikes in Somalia

During his final months in office, Trump withdrew nearly all of the 700 troops that were stationed in Somalia. But they were redeployed in East Africa, and most of the US drones that bomb Somalia are based in neighboring Djibouti and Kenya, so the air war can continue. Now the head of AFRICOM is pitching the Biden administration on sending troops back to Somalia.