Strategic shortfall

In reaction to the disastrous U.S./UN action in Somalia in 1993, the U.S. government succumbed to "Somali Syndrome"--An aversion to intervening in failed states to stop humanitarian crises. The result was America's paralysis in the face of the genocides in Rwanda in 1994, Bosnia in 1995, and Darfur today. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the 9/11 attacks did not transform the international security environment. Instead, the shocking incident depicted in "Black Hawk Down" precipitated America's strategic retreat from its post-Cold War experiment at partnership with the UN in nation-building and peace enforcement. The ensuing international security vacuum emboldened al-Qaeda to emerge and attack America.