Kenya
I am proud of Kenya for taking on Muslim extremists in southern Somalia. Rather wisely, the Kenyan military has so far prevented hacks from reaching the field. But for anybody in the outside world who cares, this is not a new battle. Operations against Somalis of varying types of fanaticism have been mounted since the 1960s. From my travels in the Somali borderlands I know this is some of the most thrilling terrain for a war — or for a safari.
Not long ago, I set off for the frontier-coast village of Kiunga to get closer to the fighting. Along for the ride in my old Range Rover was a delightful company: Matt, a Somalia aficionado with a bundle of the finest Catha edulis — the stimulant miraa — money could buy; Tofani, a mixed-race bushwhacker from the old slaving post at Witu; my affable friend Babu from Lamu; and two local chiefs armed with Lee-Enfield .
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