Since the 11 September attacks on the United States more than four years ago, Somalis have feared that their lawless country could become the setting for a battle between US-backed anti-terror forces and al-Qaeda sympathizers.

The little that's know about Somalia is not surprising, as Americans cannot be bothered with anything outside of their extremely skewered and provincial outlooks. Moreover, understanding the ways and customs of this anarchic country stop at American exceptionalism–the notion that Americans are inherently better than the "halve nots." Somalia is a far-off world, where its strange and unusual peoples with queer and unique customs have been living in utter darkness since the disintegration of its fragile government in 1993. To some but not many Americans, however, Somalia almost instantly invokes images of bungled U.S. foreign policy in the horn of Africa, as sublimely depicted in the controversial film Black Hawk Down, in which 18 US troops and hundreds of ordinary Somalis were brutally killed before the US ultimately pulled out its forces. The current situation in Somalia is not without exception.

Somalia has not had a proper government for 15 years. Instead, warlords have been fighting for control of territory. Local Islamic courts were set up by businessmen who wanted someone to catch and punish thieves and people who do not respect their contracts. Some of these courts joined to form the Union of Islamic Courts and their small groups of gunmen became Somalia's strongest fighting force. The UIC is divided between moderates and hardliners

They all say they want to restore stability and law and order to Somalia. Hardliners also want to curb foreign influences, which they say are immoral. They have closed down cinemas showing foreign films and football matches. Some radio stations have also been told not to play foreign music or local love songs but other radio stations and cinemas have been left alone. The UIC has also staged public executions and floggings of people they have found guilty of crimes such as murder and selling drugs.

After years of lawlessness, many Somalis are happy to have some kind of law and order. The prices of many basic foods have fallen because gunmen no longer extort money from lorries taking goods to markets. Almost all Somalis are Muslim but some are wary of the hardline elements. They do not like the harsh punishments and do not want to be cut off from the rest of the world. In short, the Bush Administration has consistently branded the UIC as terrorists, enough said!

Before delving into the prospect of war it's imperative to closely examine the tempestuous history of the two countries in order to understand their comparative politics.

The history of Somalia and Ethiopia is marred by distrust, animosity and war. Suspicion of neighboring expansionism and political extremism is deeply rooted in both states. Ethiopia has often seen Somalia as a territory from where attacks against it could be launched. More recently, the fear of a full-blown invasion became realized after Somalia precipitously descended into lawlessness 15 years ago and the country was divided into guerilla movements and controlled by warlords.

For Ethiopia, its long and porous border with Somalia easily allows possible militant elements to exploit its neighbor's chaos. Although it repeatedly denies involvement, reports indicate that Ethiopia has sent troops to intervene in Somalia. Ethiopia, a Christian nation with a minority of Muslims, has been qualmish with the military successes of the UIC (Union Islamic Courts). The threat for military action against Somalia is reinforced by the belief of Ethiopia's leader that the UIC poses a major peril to his longtime ally and current leader of Somalia's interim government, Abdullah Yusuf. What's more, the transitional government of Mr. Yusuf has received unbridled military aid and support from American and the CIA, making any attack on its legitimacy an even broader threat for the region.