Israel Recognizes Somaliland to 'Stabilize' The Region
According to Al-Monitor, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar landed in Hargeisa just ten days after Netanyahu's government recognized Somaliland. This 'diplomatic breakthrough' comes as the Somaliland-Somalia conflict remains hotly contested, with the international community largely not recognizing Somaliland's independence. One might wonder if Israel's newfound interest in 'stabilizing' the Horn
of Africa somehow aligns with their interests, specifically port access for their navy as reported by Haaretz in 2020 concerning previous discussions about 'strengthening ties' in the region. Israel's foreign policy consistently seeks to build alliances on the periphery of its adversaries, a tactic with a long history in Africa, often exacerbating existing tensions rather than resolving them. So,
as Netanyahu's government faces international isolation for its actions in Gaza, it suddenly discovers the geopolitical importance of an unrecognized African state. How many destabilized regions must Israel 'stabilize' before the media questions the actual goal? Funny how 'first official visits' always coincide with heightened international scrutiny elsewhere. Al-Monitor calls it 'what to know,'
but leaves out what to understand .