The Recovery of Somalia & the End of Yemen= Opportunities?

[Shirib]

Yemen have never been a threat to us. We've always been allies.

They aided Ethiopia in the 1977 war.

Cold war, Soviet policy. It had little to do with Yemen's interest and completely had to do with Soviet interests.

[Coeus]

Fortunately such things are not decided by "geographically proximity". And obviously once Somalia gets its act together and has amicable relations with Yemen, I don't even think the matter of Yemeni or Somali patrols around the Island would be a big disagreement.

Well, that is your opinion, voltage. I entertain another one.

and what basis does your opinion have? any historical evidence to suggest such things?

After relation detoriated between the Soviet Union & Somalia in the 70's. The Soviet Union announced that it would use Socotra as a military base, with the consent of South communist Yemen. This meant that the russian threat and precense wasnt gone, but now it threatened Somalia both from Ethiopia & Socotra, making us cornered with no allies.

It should be obvious that Socotra must be secured with Somali military presence in the near future, because Yemen is a unreliable ally, and the fact that we both are part of the arab league doesnt mean anything. Geographical & economical interests come before shallow "friendship" with a failed state arab country.

[union]

Yemen have never been a threat to us. We've always been allies.

They aided Ethiopia in the 1977 war.

Cold war, Soviet policy. It had little to do with Yemen's interest and completely had to do with Soviet interests.

Doesn't change the fact that Yemen engaged in hostile actions against Somalia. Being the stooges of a foreign power does not excuse their actions. I think Yemen should issue a formal apology to Somalia.

[Shirib]

Doesn't change the fact that Yemen engaged in hostile actions against Somalia. Being the stooges of a foreign power does not excuse their actions. I think Yemen should issue a formal apology to Somalia.

Yea them and pretty much the entire communist world

[union]

Doesn't change the fact that Yemen engaged in hostile actions against Somalia. Being the stooges of a foreign power does not excuse their actions. I think Yemen should issue a formal apology to Somalia.

Yea them and pretty much the entire communist world

The rest of the communist world did not have historical, cultural, and religious ties with Somalia. I can understand why a nation across the world like Cuba would attack, but Yemen who has been our neighbor and friend for centuries? At the very least they could have remained neutral.

[Shirib]

After relation detoriated between the Soviet Union & Somalia in the 70's. The Soviet Union announced that it would use Socotra as a military base, with the consent of South communist Yemen. This meant that the russian threat and precense wasnt gone, but now it threatened Somalia both from Ethiopia & Socotra, making us cornered with no allies.

It should be obvious that Socotra must be secured with Somali military presence in the near future, because Yemen is a unreliable ally, and the fact that we both are part of the arab league doesnt mean anything. Geographical & economical interests come before shallow "friendship" with a failed state arab country.

Soviet Union could have destroyed Somalia in a single night if it really wanted. You're putting a ridiculous amount of importance on a meaningless island

[Shirib]

Doesn't change the fact that Yemen engaged in hostile actions against Somalia. Being the stooges of a foreign power does not excuse their actions. I think Yemen should issue a formal apology to Somalia.

Yea them and pretty much the entire communist world

The rest of the communist world did not have historical, cultural, and religious ties with Somalia. I can understand why a nation across the world like Cuba would attack, but Yemen who has been our neighbor and friend for centuries? At the very least they could have remained neutral.

Yes, but that was the cold war era for ya. If the script of was flipped we'd probably do the same.

[union]

If the relationship that we've been cultivating with them for hundreds of year was so easily tossed out in favor of a temporary communist movement, I don't think we owe Yemen any loyalties.

[Shirib]

If the relationship that we've been cultivating with them for hundreds of year was so easily tossed out in favor of a temporary communist movement, I don't think we owe Yemen any loyalties.

you're focusing on one event, which is way beyond Yemen, and that's politics for ya. If Somalia was put in the same situation, we'd most likely have done the same

[Voltage]

Yemen have never been a threat to us. We've always been allies.

They aided Ethiopia in the 1977 war.

The people of Yemen did not and would never take the side of Ethiopia over us. The communist dictatorship of South Yemen surrounded by a hostile North Yemen and reactionary Western-backed Arab gulf and American influence simply toed Soviet lines that had immense consequence for its own survival.

It would do you much good to not simplify such complex international matters.

[union]

I still find it ridiculous that Romania would refuse to collude with the Soviets to undermine Somalia, but South Yemen would. Making up hypothetical situations or excuses doesn’t change history nor the fact that Yemeni training and equipment shed Somali blood.

[Coeus]

What the hell, all these yemen apologists. I dont care about an arab failed state. Somalia wont base its foreign policy on friendship, but on interests and regional hegemony.

[Nomand]

if there is oil near the island then it belongs to somalia if there is nothing then well who cares

[Voltage]

Pity, we have individuals treating such geo-strategic situations like a children's playground. He did this, how come he did not? Come off it. Ceausescu and Tito were some of the most prolific men in the Eastern bloc and had a lot of bargaining power where their Soviet friends stood. It was in fact the Soviets who were perpetually fearful those men who would tilt more to the West causing a dent in the balance of power in Europe. The Soviet Union accommodated a lot of foreign policy independence for such men.

Comparing such important places for the Soviets to backwaters like the Horn or South Yemen where the Soviets could function without it while the actors there were dependent on the Soviets for their existence in the equation is a false equivalence.

I think every Somali knows the surrounded communist government of South Yemen did not represent the "Yemeni" people half of which whose government was also very much on our side (North Yemen).

[Shirib]

What the hell, all these yemen apologists. I dont care about an arab failed state. Somalia wont base its foreign policy on friendship, but on interests and regional hegemony.

what is this, misery likes company?