Ethiopia and Somalia have had their differences. In the late 1970s, after the Soviet Union openly assisted Ethiopia against them, even they though they were supposedly a communist nation, too, Somalia cut ties with the Soviets and built stronger ties with the U.S.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogaden_War
In 1982, Ethiopia helped Somali rebels attack Somali towns...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_Et...ali_Border_War
...historically, the war ended quickly with U.S. assistance to Somalia. But what if the Soviets had seen this as an opportunity to make Ethiopia more of a stronghold in the Horn of Africa, an Africa Cuba of sorts? What if they had openly backed Ethiopia, encouraged them to actually attack Somalia, provided them with military supplies, perhaps even put troops on the ground to help them, etc.?
1. Is this likely? What would the Soviets have had to gain here?
2. Would the U.S. have tried to help Somalia, and how? Naval blockade to prevent Soviet supplies from reaching Ethiopia? More troops on the ground in Somalia? What other options would have been available?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogaden_War
In 1982, Ethiopia helped Somali rebels attack Somali towns...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_Et...ali_Border_War
...historically, the war ended quickly with U.S. assistance to Somalia. But what if the Soviets had seen this as an opportunity to make Ethiopia more of a stronghold in the Horn of Africa, an Africa Cuba of sorts? What if they had openly backed Ethiopia, encouraged them to actually attack Somalia, provided them with military supplies, perhaps even put troops on the ground to help them, etc.?
1. Is this likely? What would the Soviets have had to gain here?
2. Would the U.S. have tried to help Somalia, and how? Naval blockade to prevent Soviet supplies from reaching Ethiopia? More troops on the ground in Somalia? What other options would have been available?
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